News Release
State Health Facilities Council confirms Mercy’s position on replacing Capitol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2007
At its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the State Health Facilities Council confirmed the Iowa Department of Health’s finding that the replacement of Mercy Capitol with a new facility at Mercy West Lakes does not require a Certificate of Need (CON). This “non-reviewability determination” was made after Mercy voluntarily requested it from the State. The Council also confirmed that replacement hospital projects for Iowa Lutheran and Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines – as well as Jones County Hospital in Anamosa – are not subject to CON review.
The Mercy Capitol replacement project also received unanimous approval from the West Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission and the West Des Moines City Council. Mercy hopes to begin site work for the project at its Mercy West Lakes property this spring.
“I’d like to thank and congratulate the entire West Lakes project team that has been working to ensure our success in the regulatory process and to develop an outstanding plan that will benefit the patients and families we serve, as well as our staff, our organization and our community,” said President & CEO David Vellinga. “I’d also like to thank the State Health Facilities Council and staff for its thoughtful review of the law as it relates to our project.”
The proposed full-service community hospital is projected to open in 2009, and will cost approximately $90-100 million to build. As a replacement hospital for Mercy Capitol, Mercy West Lakes will replicate the services Capitol currently offers and will include Medical/Surgical beds, operating rooms, a Level IV Emergency Department, diagnostic and ancillary services, birthing services and cardiovascular services.
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