Liars running Cook County Government Hospitals

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

"They come down and tell us everything is rosy when we know it's not," she said during a Friday interview on the program "At Issue," which airs on WBBM-AM at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

About a third of the county's share of property tax bills are eaten up by hospital expenses. The county is facing a nearly $500 million deficit, and county officials say it's largely because hospital leaders aren't doing enough to collect bills.

Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele says the people running county hospitals have misled the public.


Steele said that's why she's moving bill payment responsibilities away from hospital officials and under the county's finance office.

Steele also said the county is being saddled with unnecessary debt because many noncounty residents are using the health facilities -- many of whom aren't being asked for ID or about their ability to pay.

She said many people using county facilities can pay or are insured but never provide proof, as required.

Steele said she and other County Board members have repeatedly asked hospital leaders about problems, but "they tell us a new lie every month."

When you are financed by stealing money through the majority vote of the taxpayers:dishonesty is inevitable.For those of you out are there that think the government can run health care more efficiently because it doesn't waste money on advertising: just look at Cook County.Monopoly means inefficiency and fraud.