His group is now focusing its attention on trying to dissuade Illinois Gov. George Ryan from signing the bill, which would make it law. Illinois Senator Stan Weaver supported the bill when it was introduced in the senate. He added that hospitals should not have to go to the public every time they want to spend money. Calls to Illinois state representatives Tim Johnson and Rick Winkel, who also supported the bill, were not returned. Duffett said that one of the issues that is of controversy is that of whether the resources hospitals utilize belong to the community.
Taxpayers often have to make up for the lost money by facing higher taxes themselves.
Duffett also said that hospitals not being open to public opinion when it comes to how they are spending money could lead to larger problems in the future. People who were before receiving free or discounted care from hospitals that are put out of business often go without care or are referred to already overburdened community health care providers. Taxpayers often face higher taxes to make up or those who are uninsured, Duffett said. He also said the Illinois Hospital and Health Systems Association, which represents the majority of hospitals, are asking for an arbitrary amount of money they can spend without getting input from outside organizations. Although currently asking for a seven million dollar threshold, they had earlier requested a nine million dollar threshold.