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We're glad to hear from the Iowa state Board of Regents and University of Iowa Interim President Gary Fethke that University Hospitals is not for sale and will not be for sale ("Regent: Rumors of UIHC for sale untrue," Jan. 20). It's always good to be able to put down "rampant rumors" when they pop up, especially at a time when so many members of the UI community are skeptical about the long-range plans the regents and the interim administration may have for UI and University Hospitals.

But in regards to "rampant rumors" of the university discussing an exclusive partnership with Iowa Health, the largest integrated health care provider in the state, our local regent, Bob Downer, has described the situation as being "somewhat beyond the rumor stage." Downer said that he shares concerns about the intentions of Iowa Health in collaborating with the university for programs such as medial education, employer health benefits and provider networking.

Leo Bressanelli, the CEO and president of Davenport's Genesis Health Systems, e-mailed Regents President Michael Gartner in September concerned about a possible "exclusive strategic alliance" between UI and Iowa Health. Bressanelli understandably was worried about how such an arrangement would affect the longstanding relationship between Genesis and UI. If the relationship were exclusive, in fact, Bressanelli and other health care providers would have cause to worry.

Happily for all of us, hospital officials have stressed that the partnership with Iowa Health is not exclusive and that the university still is open to enter into any non-exclusive relationship that the administration finds advantageous. An Iowa Health spokesman stressed that the company has not sought an exclusive deal with University Hospitals and has not tried to buy it. And President Fethke reaffirmed Friday morning that the hospital is definitely not for sale.

Again -- whew!

It's understandable why people are a little jumpy. After all, 2007 is the sesquicentennial of Iowa City losing its status as the state's capital city. In the last 150 years, the city's growth and development have depended on the reputation of the university and the ever-increasing quality of its world-class health center. Most area residents never even dreamed that selling University Hospitals was an option -- let alone an option that anyone should be worried about.

Although university officials say that such a sale is not under serious discussion, we suggest that our state legislators make sure that any such decision would have to come before the Legislature.