Fate of Shriners Hospital to be decided

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Stagnating donations, increasing costs, shriveling endowments and helping children will be on the minds of Shriners meeting as they consider the future of six hospitals around the nation.

The 135th Imperial Council Session began Sunday. On the agenda is consideration of a resolution to close the Shriners Hospital for Children in n Springfield -- as well as hospitals in Galveston, Texas, Shreveport, La., Spokane, Wash., Greenville, S.C., and Erie, Pa.

Springfield administrator Mark Niederpruem told 22News Shriners will consider taking health insurance for the first time in its history as a measure to save the hospitals.

Free hospital care has been offered since the first Shriners hospital opened 87 years ago. Shriners say their endowment has fallen below $5 billion.

There will be a vote at the meeting. A decision is expected to be announced Thursday.