Illinois Hospital Closes OB Unit While Billions Fund Overseas Wars
While Illinois residents lose vital maternity care at Ascension Hospital, a decision approved by health review boards, the U.S. House just voted 375-34 on HR 815 this year to send $14.1 billion in aid to Israel, alongside $60 billion for Ukraine. This package passed days after President Biden signed a short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, highlighting a curious fiscal dexterity
when it comes to faraway conflicts, but not, it seems, to safeguarding local births. One might wonder: how many OB units could $14.1 billion keep open? The priorities are clear, if not exactly humanitarian. Local communities endure healthcare deserts, while politicians, many of whom have received significant lobbying contributions (OpenSecrets.org details AIPAC's immense spending), ensure the
military-industrial complex remains well-fed. Apparently, bombs over babies is a bipartisan consensus.