Changes anticipated for UI Health Care facility projects amid continued commitment to leading the way for Iowa
University of Iowa Health Care is committed to advancing its mission of patient care, medical education, and biomedical research while facing an increasingly challenging health care delivery and reimbursement landscape.
Recently announced federal funding changes will significantly affect the health care industry over the next 10 years. Projections show a 10-year reduction of more than $1 trillion for health care nationally, with the state of Iowa anticipating a $9.5 billion reduction, according to a KFF analysis of the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest cost estimate. While UI Health Care is in a more stable financial position than many other academic health care systems across the country, adjustments to capital projects, needed to modernize its facilities, will be necessary.
Working with the University of Iowa and the Iowa Board of Regents, UI Health Care is revisiting its capital plan and has made some initial decisions.
Jacobson tower continues on a new timeline
The largest new building project to address long-term access to UI Health Care’s most complex care is the Jacobson tower. Made possible in part through a generous gift of the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation, the tower is in the early stages of development through enabling projects that clear the ground intended for the facility on its university campus in Iowa City. This location is adjacent to UI Health Care’s flagship medical center on the university campus, benefiting patients who require complex and specialty care with more private rooms for better healing, and access to a wide range of specialists.
Enabling work
Continues for:
- The new road connecting Newton Road to the UI Health Care university main campus entrance – expected for completion at the end of this calendar year.
- Water tower – a replacement water tower has been built, and work will start this fall for the removal of the current water tower in spring.
Is completed for:
- Hawkeye Parking ramp – constructed north of Kinnick Stadium, it opened in March.
- Health Sciences Academic Building – constructed at the northeast corner of Melrose Ave. and S. Grand Ave. It opened recently to house the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders that previously occupied the Wendell Johnson building.
Is delayed for:
- Hospital Parking Ramp 1 removal – the ramp will remain open for now.
- Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center removal – services will move to the new Health Sciences Academic Building, while the building itself will remain for now.
- Hospital entrance and skywalk changes – work is on hold for now.
Cancer research space a continued priority
UI Health Care also plans to move forward with increasing its cancer research space. This remains a priority given Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s pivotal role as the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Iowa. UI is a leader in achieving the state’s high cancer survival rates and is a vital player in tackling Iowa’s fastest-growing rates of new cancers in the country.
Modernization of university and downtown medical campuses
We also are continuing to look at the modernization plans across our university and downtown medical campuses and will provide updates as decisions are made.
As UI Health Care continues to adapt its facility plans and organizational priorities in response to evolving financial realities, our faculty, staff, students, and community members may have questions about what these changes mean in practice.