State Rep. Amy Murri Briel, a Democrat from Ottawa, Illinois, has proposed the creation of a taskforce to investigate why rural hospitals in the state are closing or cutting services. The issue has been exacerbated by ransomware attacks, which have targeted hospital computers and locked access away from doctors until a fee is paid. Briel emphasized the need to address the healthcare problem across the state and find solutions that meet the needs of rural communities.
The proposal was met with opposition from Republicans on the committee, with State Rep. William Hauter expressing concerns that a taskforce could delay help and not allocate resources effectively. Despite this, the bill passed the House public health committee on a partisan 5-2 vote and will now move to the House floor for further discussion.
Briel’s district has seen the closure of four hospitals in the past six years, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The taskforce aims to find answers that will help rural hospitals stay operational and ensure access to healthcare for residents in those areas.
As rural hospitals continue to struggle, the taskforce represents a step towards addressing the challenges they face and finding viable solutions. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to further debate the proposal in the coming weeks as they seek to support healthcare infrastructure in Illinois.
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