New Lenox, IL – April 30, 2024 – Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Imran Shakir, presented with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at a press conference at Silver Cross Hospital. The event highlighted Governor Pritzker’s Healthcare Protection Act, legislation aimed to eliminate the need for insurance prior authorization for adults and children in the midst of a mental health crisis, lowering overall healthcare insurance costs for patients – and ultimately saving lives.
Dr. Shakir spoke about the hardships mental health patients face as they seek behavioral healthcare – only to be denied the care they need – as well as the frustrations providers face when they advocate for their patients. “How does a system get this way,” he said. “The only thing that has ever made sense to me is that (insurance companies) are putting profits before patients.”
Opened in 2019 as a joint venture with Silver Cross Hospital, Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital offers a full continuum of behavioral health services to all patients regardless of ability to pay. Silver Oaks Behavioral offers specialized programs including adolescent, dual diagnosis, detox, geriatric and acute adult programs with a 24/7 crisis center.
