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Hospital Board plans “presentation” to
Hospital Committee
The night before
the Hospital Committee is supposed to meet, the Hospital Board is
giving them a “presentation.” Mr. Owens has sent an invitation to
all the committee members. Members of the committee have contacted
us, and they feel that the Hospital Board and David Owens, CEO
of JMH, are undermining all chance of any independent and new ideas
or thoughts. This is another attempt to influence a
committee that was to look at all aspects of the hospital, how it
was funded, and what was being funded—in an independent and unbiased
manner. However, this does not seem possible. The Monticello News
has all but directly said that the facilitator is biased. We
question why anyone with the credentials of Dr. Phillips would waste
their time and have their reputation questioned.
In last week’s
paper, the following was printed:
“Jasper Memorial
Hospital director David Owens and Oconee Regional Medical Center (ORMC)
CEO Brian Riddle were not allowed to rebut Dr. Phillips' statement.
Mr. Owens did question a number of facts presented by Dr. Phillips.
She said Medicare and Medicaid were talking of changing the way they
reimburse hospitals such as Jasper's. Jasper Memorial is designated
as a Critical Access Hospital and is reimbursed on an actual cost
basis, an advantage over other types of reimbursements. Mr. Owens
indicated he had heard no talk of any of the changes she suggested.”
First, the News says Dr.
Phillips wouldn’t let Owens and Riddle speak, and then it goes on to
say all the things they said! According to people that were at the
meeting, Owens and Riddle dominated the first hour of the meeting.
After the members broke up into sub-committees, Owens, Riddle, and
Jordan visited these committees in an attempt to push their agendas.
The TWG has
talked to members of the committee; none have indicated they want to
close the hospital, but several have ideas to improve it!
What about a women’s center with a mammogram? What about expanding
the Physical Therapy Dept? Other great ideas, but the Hospital
Board seems afraid of answering questions and listening to others.
Instead they are meeting with committee members, calling on the
phone, and continuing to hype the situation.
The hospital
board (Jasper Health Services) also has a “strategic planning
session” scheduled for next Thursday and Friday at the Charlie
Elliott Wildlife Center. |
