Brady Says Gov Hurting Healthcare SPRINGFIELD, IL (wqub) - A state senator is accusing Governor Rod Blagojevich of putting healthcare projects in limbo ... to the detriment of the people who would be patients at the facilities. Amanda Vinicky reports:

The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board has to give approval before any new hospital, emergency medical centers, or other health care facility can be built.
But State Senator Bill Brady ... a Republican from Bloomington ... says the board hasn't been able to do that job lately.
The board hasn't been at full strength for nearly two years ... since November of 2005.
And since another member resigned at the end of August ... there are now two vacant seats on the five-member board.
Brady blames Governor Rod Blagojevich ... who's responsible for appointing new members. Brady says it's ironic.

"While on one hand causing overtime session and delays in the legislative process with a health care agenda in mind, he has neglected to deal with a system that would have allowed tens of millions of dollars in health care facilities within this state."
A spokeswoman for Blagojevich says the governor's currently vetting candidates. But she says the board's so important, an extra level of caution's necessary. And that takes time. She also says it's hard to find individuals knowledgeable about the health care industry but who are not affiliated with it.
I'm Amanda Vinicky.
© Copyright 2009, wqub