The article quoted only tells part of the story. Tenet found a loophole in the payment system, gobbled up hospitals and maximized on the amount of money. The courts could of hit Tenet with $1.5 billion but they settled with a judgement of $715 million. The first payment is due in 2007 and will be paid for by closing or selling off 11 hospitals and dismissing thousands of workers that depended on their jobs. The workers never knew it was coming after being told for years how dedicated Tenet was to their facility. Tenet employees learned it by receiving an email from Trevor Fetter the CEO, that began with the words "GOOD NEWS" and a few paragraphs down learned that 11 hospitals were being dropped. How would you feel if you got this letter? Good news your out of a job. Days later another half hearted letter came reminding the workers to continue to do their best until sold or closed. This is on top of benefits being decreased and raises frozen for months. Workers got more information about the closing from the newpaper reports then they got from management.
Wouldn't you feel like you got slapped in the face. In 2008 when the next $200,000 is due another 10-15 hospitals will get the slap too and in 5 years when all the payments are finished their won't be a Tenet system left.
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