Opinion

More on Decatur Hospital

Wednesday, September 26, 2001

More on Decatur Hospital

Dear Editor,

The Decatur County Commissioners and the Decatur County Hospital Board want the public to have some additional information relating to the Banner Health System decision to transfer the lease of the Decatur County Hospital to another party as a part of their corporate restructuring as mentioned in their press release dated Sept. 19.

Sadly, it is a sign of the times that rural hospitals are the first ones considered for elimination when a corporate restructure (or re-allocation of resources) comes along. It is partly due to the disproportionate reimbursement schedule currently in place where urban hospitals receive a higher payment from medicare for the same procedure vs. a rural hospital.

Secondly, the Decatur County Hospital is not in financial problems. It is currently operating solidly in the positive earnings category after all expenses and reserves including a 31/2 percent operating fee that has been paid to BHS. It operated at a profitable level last year and is currently operating at double the profit level used by BHS in the 2001 budget. Exact figures are not available as they are the private financial affairs of BHS.

The community must remember that this facility is County owned and the current BHS lease does not allow them to assign or sublease the premises without the written consent of the County Commissioners and the Hospital Board.

The county also owns almost all of the equipment located and used in the hospital but would need to purchase all operating supplies, a computer system and related software. The hospital board has very adequate funds to cover this without any tax increase at this time. We may well look to increase the 2002 maintenance levy by 2 or 3 mills.

This will be after the bonds on the facilities are paid in full. The Bond levy that will be eliminated was around 8 mills thus allowing for a net decrease in the tax levy of 5 to 6 mills.

BHS and the Hospital Board do not intend to make any changes in the management or staff at the hospital. This includes the retention of the current administrator -- Lynn Doeden -- who is expected to remain here. You can expect to continue to work with the same fine care providers you are used to dealing with. No interruption in services or the types of care to be provided will occur.

The Decatur County Commissioners and the Decatur County Hospital Board want to assure all citizens of this area that their care will continue to be handled in a quality manner for years to come.

In closing, we want to thank all those who have supported the hospital through their work efforts and/or utilization of the facilities. It is sad to end a 52-year relationship with Banner Health System but rest assured, we are fully committed to continue to provide high quality healthcare to you for years to come.

Ralph D. Unger,

Commissioner Chairman

Gregory K. Lohoefener,

Hospital Board Chairman

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: