ROGER MONROE

Last year I reported in my column — and also on our FM 90.7 morning radio show, “Breakfast with Roger and Friends” — that Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals had been sold. WCBU-FM went even farther, announcing that owners Unity Point Health of Des Moines, Iowa, stood to make $75 million selling the hospitals and their affiliates to Carle Health of Urbana.

For some reason, Unity Point Health officials didn’t call it a sale, but a “strategic affiliation,” which it wasn’t and isn’t. The news releases were filled with a lot of complimentary words and phrases about the future of that alleged affiliation. Even to the end, Pierce Healthcare said on its website that “Carle Health and Unity Point closed an integration deal on April 1 …” That’s the first time I ever heard a sale called an “integration deal.”

Importantly, that’s not how Carle Health views the “deal.” In an internal memo I received from a physician, the headline of the Carle Alert reads, “Notice of Change of Ownership — Welcome Greater Peoria locations.” The memo lists Carle as new owners of Methodist Medical Center, Pekin Memorial Hospital, Proctor Hospital, Proctor Health Systems, Unity Point Clinic, Unity Point Health Junction Medical, Unity Place, Human Service Center, Tazwood Mental Health Center, Health Plus, and Pekin ProHealth. While Methodist College and the former Heddington Oaks nursing home building were not mentioned in the memo, it’s generally believed they are part of the sale.

It seems strange that officials involved in the health purchase agreement would strive to create confusion. And that’s what happened. One retired physician at Methodist vehemently told me there was no sale of anything and that I should retract and correct my comments. Meanwhile, past and current employees asked me to explain what was going on, as if I could, beyond, saying, Unity Point Health was bailing out of the Peoria area.

For now, top administrative officials at the three hospitals remain on the job. Meanwhile, all hospital workers are committed to providing quality care as they have been since the hospitals were founded. We wish Carle Health much success as the new owners of Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals and their affiliates.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS WINS LOCAL GOP

Well, maybe not all Republicans in central Illinois were won over, but certainly a large majority. DeSantis was articulate, charming and presidential before more than 1,200 Republicans and some independents who attended the Lincoln Banquet at the Peoria Civic Center. It was the largest ever and could’ve had more people if the facility had been bigger. I’m told DeSantis came at the request of Peoria Congressman Darin LaHood. The two are good friends who work out in the House gym.

The Florida governor is growing in popularity in the country, but former Congressman Ray LaHood says he’s no match for former president Donald Trump. LaHood says the Trump campaign is well-organized and staffed in every state in the nation. LaHood still believes the next presidential election will again pit Trump versus Biden.

Among other speakers at the Lincoln Banquet was Chuck Weaver, chairman of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee. Weaver took control when he successfully recruited a number of precinct committeemen and women, replacing Steve Morris. There’s a rift in the Peoria Republican Party, as we’ve noted before in this column. On one side are Weaver, Jim Montelongo, Steve Schearer, and John Kelly. On the other side are Ryan Spain, Steve Morris, and Darin LaHood. Several people are working feverishly to mend political fences as the 2024 elections loom with filings coming at the end of the year.

I close this month’s column with special thanks to Ray LaHood for his insights into local and national politics during his regular appearances on “Breakfast with Roger and Friends” on FM 90.7. We also thank people like Col. Rusty Ballard, commanding officer of the 182nd Air Lift Wing, who joins us the first Monday of each month. Dr. Sheila Quirk Bailey, President of Illinois Central College, is our guest the third Monday of the month. Peoria defense attorney Kevin Sullivan is a regular every Wednesday morning with updates on local and national murder trials. Our listeners learn about Peoria City Council matters from Second District councilman Chuck Grayeb and we can count on County news from board member Phil Salzer and County Administrator Scott Sorrell. Medical news for more than 10 years is covered sometimes daily by Dr. Gene Sidler. Sports news comes from people who played and coached the games, like Mike Olson, Jim Bixby, and John Meisinger. Bradley sports covered by Dr. Sidler, who for 20 years, hosts bradleyfans.com on the Internet. When it comes to weather, we’re the only radio program with a “live” college-educated meteorologist Kyle Varnold. If this sounds like a cheap plug, it’s because it is.

REMEMBERING

During my nearly two years of service in the U.S. Army in Germany, I made a point to visit several U.S. military cemeteries in Europe. There are 13 of them. Seventy-three thousand, one hundred seventy-seven are buried and another 15,856 are missing, but honored. Each cemetery is beautifully landscaped with American flags proudly flying above. The row after row of white crosses and Stars of David remind us of the horrors of war. As we observe Memorial Day, too many Americans will fail to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our men and women over the years around the world. Please take a moment to remember them.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.” — Benjamin Harrison