Almost 15 years ago The Shriners Hospital in Springfield was being threatened with closure, but a restructuring of the way business was being done saved the facility.
The facility began taking insurance.
Now another change. Shriners Hospital is going to go from a traditional hospital setting to what is being described as an "out patient clinic model."
Officials say there are changes in the industry and officials say it is the best way to continue to serve.
The switch doesn't change anything.
About the only thing noticeable will that they will not be doing ambulatory surgeries.
The state requires that there be a hearing and a 120 day notice of the change.
After the hearing the state will decide whether they will allow the change. In the end the Shriners---the people with the Fez...they say they will still be with the kids.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak. WHYN News)