New “Health Alliance” Includes Local Medical Facilities In O’Brien County

Date posted - June 30, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa — Four Iowa hospital systems are forming a new health care group designed to improve care and cut costs. The University of Iowa Health Alliance, unveiled Thursday, includes Genesis Health System in the Quad Cities, Mercy-Cedar Rapids, Mercy Health Network in Des Moines and University of Iowa Health Care.

Mercy Health Network includes Mercy Medical in Sioux City, as well as hospitals in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, and Mason City. Mercy Medical in Sioux City is affiliated with medical facilities in Hartley,
Paullina, Primghar, and Sutherland.

Dave Vellinga, CEO of Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, says an alliance offers advantages that a merger can’t provide.

The alliance will allow the hospitals to share the cost of expensive new patient information systems and share research. Doug Cropper, CEO of Genesis Health System, said the new alliance will also result in better patient care.

The alliance was planned before Thursday’s Supreme Court decision on the new health care law. The University of Iowa Health Alliance covers more than 50 hospitals and 160 clinics across the state.

Click here for the press release.

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