Actually, there was very little in the way of “fervor.” Those who reacted at all to the project were chiefly in favor. Only at the very end of the process did a competitor seek to create some fervor, and that effort was largely unsuccessful.

 

The columnist is simply misinformed. This project was announced in July. Aurora’s discussions with the Village of Grafton began many weeks earlier.

 

 

The Grafton project will be a regional medical center, intended to serve patients throughout the northeastern part of the metropolitan area.

 

Aurora is certainly not alone in asserting that competition among health care providers improves care, improves service, drives innovation and holds down costs. Sharing this view are the majority of health care economists and the federal government.
 

Grafton growing pains

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 26, 2007

By JENNIFER FLATEN

Thunk! Thunk! That is the sound of Grafton stamping "approved" on many construction projects. Several big-box retailers are planning to add locations in Grafton. Existing retailers are looking to expand and improve their facilities.

Grafton is experiencing a growth spurt. Normally, this would be all "another day at the office" for Grafton officials. Growth is good right?

What is causing quite a fervor is Aurora Health Care choosing to build a new million-dollar hospital. Now a new hospital is not usually a cause for raised eyebrows. What gives this project the "hmmm" factor is that the new hospital not only will be five miles from Columbia St. Mary's but the alacrity with which the village approved the plans.

It was merely three months ago that Aurora announced it was considering building a new hospital in Grafton. Note the word "considering." The next announcement came just this month: Grafton approves the new Aurora hospital.

I bet there are several developers out there who wish they could be fast-tracked like the Aurora proposal. The project promises to put a lot of money into the village coffers - quickly. Money, as they say, makes the world go 'round.

Aurora Health Care has a knack for moving into communities that are in the midst of an economic boom. A perfect example is Oconomowoc. Aurora is constructing a hospital about three miles from Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital. If you recall, there was quite a controversy surrounding that venture.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with either of these projects, it just seems extremely silly to have two hospitals so close together. Especially when you consider the size of the communities.

We are not talking major metropolises - although for a community with an eye on expansion, all that money would be hard to resist, no matter how ridiculous the proposal.

Aurora claims competition is good business. Don't you just love that health care is a business? Remember when it was just about curing sick people?

I just want a good doctor who doesn't make me wait 30 minutes past my appointment time. Or even better, one who doesn't rush me out the door once he or she does get into the room with me.

Would adding the Aurora hospital really give people more choices? Do people even have choices in health care these days? Aren't you pretty much limited to where your insurance tells you to go?

Also, Aurora chose Ozaukee county because of its growing (affluent) population. It seems no health care system wants to invest money into old hospitals in less "desirable" areas.

Shouldn't some of the older health care institutions in established areas be upgraded to afford those community members the best services possible? I think older neighborhoods deserve gleaming new facilities as much as gleaming new communities do.

Jennifer Flaten of Cedarburg is a working mom. Her e-mail address is flaten5@sbcglobal.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grafton village officials followed their normal procedures. They are to be commended for their long and thorough review of this project.

 

 

We would only note that communities experiencing rapid growth need expanded services, including health care.

 

 

 

Ozaukee County is the only county in southeastern Wisconsin still served by only one hospital. We believe area residents will welcome a choice.

 

Aurora Health Care proudly operates Milwaukee’s last downtown hospital, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, and we have invested heavily in the Aurora Sinai campus in recent years.
 

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