There have been so many wonderful letters addressing the importance and the need for Albert Lea to have an acute, full-service hospital. Having been a trucker with my husband, I realize the importance of having a close hospital that is able to perform any emergency that comes in. With Albert Lea having two truck stops, we have so many truckers coming in. We need to continue to have an acute, full-service hospital. If the Albert Lea medical center goes ahead with plans to send patients to other hospitals, what happens to the emergency services? Those who need overnight stay? Mayo states the emergency department will continue to stay — but what about beds? Are they still having beds available for those needing to stay overnight? How many people have to die before it is realized Albert Lea needs the acute, full-service hospital and to continue to serve the three counties with 65,000 people, in addition to truckers and visitors coming into town? If we lose the Albert Lea hospital, will that affect businesses that are here or any that may be looking at coming to this area?

Will patients be sent to other hospitals by expensive ambulances or helicopter rides, or die before that can be done?

If people start moving out because we don’t have an acute, full-service hospital any longer, will that affect our communities?

Mavis Jacobs

Albert Lea