LETTERS TO THE EDITORS: IT IS NOW TIME FOR HOSPITAL COOPERATION

To the Editor:

I applaud the two articles in the paper today (April 16), regarding St. Francis building a Medical Office Building (MOB) in that it will greatly increase medical costs. The letter from the Business Group on Health is also excellent, and gives many reasons for not getting into such a competitive expensive situation as building offices close to either hospital.

It would further polarize the medical community, splitting even further the two hospitals, and end up costing much more for patients, incurance, etc., for years to come. Addition new buildings and offices do cost money and this would merely be passed on.

Bob Cranmer, president of the Business Group on Health, and Mary Dunn, Executive Director for same, have put in countless hours of work on this problem. They have no ax to grind but are looking at the whole picture. It is time for more cooperation between the two hospitals here now. Please, both sides listen to reason.

J.A. KINDER, MD

Cape Girardeau