St. Luke’s denies ‘right to choice’

I find it unbelievable that a group of highly regarded specialized physicians would sell out to St. Luke's Hospital, therefore denying patients the “right to choice” in hospitals

Cardiologists, L.C. (a St. Luke's organization, now relocated in the PCI Medical Pavilion and renamed UnityPoint Clinic-Cardiology) had two fine hospitals within easy walking distance of their offices. Premium parking spaces also are provided to physicians. St. Luke's role in the arrangement seems obvious: eliminate the competition.

I sincerely hope that in the future any person requiring heart surgery will be able to exercise his/her right of choice and elect to have the procedure done at the University of Iowa Hospitals or Mayo Clinic.

Ruth Nash

Cedar Rapids