Cedar Rapids Gazette: Given fervent opposition to a proposed $230 million University of Iowa Health Care hospital in North Liberty — including the economic threat posed to community providers like Mercy Iowa City — the State Health Facilities Council on Wednesday narrowly denied UIHC permission to proceed, halting the project for now. Despite UIHC arguments that it is too full and desperate for more space, the five-member council charged with granting a certificate of need for the project sided by a slim 3-2 vote with opponents who argued a new 300,000-square-foot, 36-bed hospital is unnecessary and detrimental to existing care.