Cuts underway at OSF hospital despite awaiting final approval

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - A final decision is a month away for the restructuring of two Central Illinois hospitals.

OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center has proposed plans to move some of its services to the Danville Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Thursday, people were able to share their concerns about the proposed changes. Mainly, people agreed that there needs to be a change. But several believed that it should not include the complete closure of several departments.

Officials said some cuts to services are already underway because of not being able to retain staff due to uncertainty. 

At the end of August, the plan is to move the operating room and intensive care unit.

Several people at the public hearing on Thursday said, despite it sounding like a done deal, they still wanted to make their voices heard.

"As a community in Champaign County and our surrounding areas deserves two hospitals. We can support them. So, I would encourage OSF to sell the facility that they have and sell it to another hospital entity that can also run a hospital," said Joan Dixon of Champaign. 

OSF President J.T. Barnhart said they have seen a drop in how many people they serve at the Urbana hospital. Barnhart explained the drop is due to more people going to Carle Hospital instead for services.

But as one woman pointed out, she wished there would still be another option. 

"I have been to Carle, and there is nothing wrong with Carle, but there is just a different atmosphere at OSF. And I can't tell you how wonderfully they treated me at OSF. I felt like I was a princess," said one OSF patient.

OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center will still have an emergency room and a medical behavioral health unit. There will be an expansion of their Behavioral Health Services, including more beds and two new floors. 

The proposal still needs to be approved by the Illinois Health and Services Review Board. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25.

If approved, the official changes would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2026.

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