Iowa City, IA — The Board of Regents Tuesday approved plans for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to build a facility in North Liberty that includes a hospital that local health officials spoke out against.
CEO Suresh Gunasekaran told the Regents the hospital is part of a double building.
The State Health Facilities Council approved the plan on a 4-1 vote after voting 3-2 against the plan in February. The administrators at other hospitals in the area argued the new hospital will expand beyond specialty care and take away their patients. Gunasekaran’s presentation to the Board of Regents mirrored his remarks in the State Health Facilities hearing.
A member of the board asked Gunasekaran how they were going to avoid the cost overruns of millions of dollars when they built the UI Children’s Hospital. He says they have put several safeguards in place to try and prevent that from happening.
He says they’re also getting input from those on campus.
A University of Iowa spokesman says this building is out in the open — which makes construction easier. Construction is expected to begin later this month, with completion in 2025.
