The economy creates another casualty in Janesville: construction of a new St. Mary's Hospital is put on hold. "The current credit market is very unfavorable," said SSM Health Care President Mary Starmann-Harrison. "We will be timing our bond issue with that credit market, to make sure that we get a favorable credit rate to go forward."
When might that happen? "You know, the timing is dependent on the national economy, so no one knows for sure," said Starmann-Harrison. "We're certainly hopeful that it's sooner rather than later, but I don't think anyone knows at this time." She says there is plenty to do while waiting for the economy to strengthen. Planning for equipment, policies, and building designs are still in the works. "There's a lot of things, when you develop a brand new hospital, that have to be done."