The hospital I volunteer at will be facing a battle in the next few months, and I really am trying to understand every side of this story.
This is a well respected hospital. It is a Level 1 Trauma Center. And it is the only one within 100 miles. It is also a teaching hospital.
The city provides the hospital with $22 million a year to be used for indigent care. The care we are speaking of is not care paid for by medicaid, so there is no "double dipping." That is what was proclaimed in the beginning, by the hospital has proven the city wrong. This levy was passed by the taxpayers. They accepted the tax increase in order to provide this service to the hospital and community. This is what the taxpayer wanted their money to go to.
The care is for the "working poor." These people make too much money for medicaid or any other state/federal assisted health care program. Either their employer does not offer health insurance, or not quality insurance, or they can't afford insurance. These people would not be able to get healthcare of any kind without this assistance. Of course, the ER can't turn them away, but the hospital would be out a ton of money if they just billed people who could never pay.
A large portion, as sad as it is to say, goes to treating assault victims. There is a pretty high crime rate here, and we have gunshot victims in almost every day. There are always multiple assault victims. Not to mention car accidents.
The city is facing a $17 million dollar deficit due to funding that needs to go to the 2 riverfront stadiums. 1 commissioner wants to take the funding from the hospital and give it to the stadiums. He says the only other way to resolve the deficit is by raising real estate or sales tax. I'm not sure if I believe that because the city is planning on spending like $20 billion on a stupid streetcar system that the taxpayers do not want. We voted it down, yet somehow it got through.
Anyways, I have a huge issue with taking money from the poor and giving it to the stadiums. Man, does it make the city look bad. And taxpayers approved of a tax increase so that the money would go to indigent care. How dare they take this money and give it away for a purpose that is was not approved of.
One person said that we should just cut the funding of healthcare for city council employees. Why do they deserve healthcare and the poor do not? I believe they wouldn't be all gung-ho over this proposal if it meant that they would lose their healthcare.
I really don't know what to think. I'm just saddened by it. Guess I need to put on my game face though because the reporters will be all over once it really heats up.
What is your opinion on this matter? If you need more info, let me know. I'm trying to get info from many different sources so it isn't biased
What city is this? There has to be some media/local news coverage it would be helpful to link if you have any.
Have politicians wanted to pull funds in part citing changes from health care reform? Health care reform is targeted at least partially at the type of patient population that you are referring to -- the poor that are not poor enough to be covered by Medicaid. Not all the changes with the health care reform bill have been implemented yet, but they will be over the next number of years or so (I can't cite when full implementation is complete, but if I am remembering correctly, it is within the next 5-10 years.) In the future, I'm not sure how necessary additional funding like this will be, although kudos to your city for caring about the health/welfare of it's citizens.
Cincinnati
There has been some local media coverage. Here are a few links to articles, but the majority of the information I received was from watching interviews on this local sunday news show with the commissioner who proposed the idea (Greg Hartmann), and then a rep from University came in the next week.
They did use the health care reform as part of the reason. However, they are talking of ending it in 2011 or 2012. No one can be 100% certain of what kind of care people will really receive until it comes. It's easy to assume that it will be taken care of by reform, but honestly, if 2012 comes and we have a new President, who's to say they won't change the reform?
Seeing as you know so much about the issue, you should participatein any of the /orchestrate rallys, petitions and get the media involved in this matter(local news, tv/newspaper/websites). It happens everywhere(corruption). Many of us do not get into the details of the situacion because we have other ways of getting around the system, but if this is your way(community activism/communism) than I encourage you to follow the guidlines that I have posted above. People like you are few nowadays in the sea of capitalism(U.S.A/G20 era of imperialism). I encourage you to petition, then collectively go to the media about it, then rally downtown(yeah, rallying on concrete at 90 degrees isn't "fun" but whatever gets the job done.)
How much am I really allowed to get involved though, since I am a volunteer for this hospital? I obviously don't want to cross any boundary. We were told to not talk to media.
The media is aware. The public is not as aware. It has not been that publicized, only because it's just talk right now. Though it sounds like serious talk to me.
Phew. Sounds like you have some heavy-duty digging to do.
Firstly, I can't comment on how essential services are budgeted for in your city/country; I don't live there. I presume the stadiums you are referring to are sporting venues, and can usually attract funding from sponsorships, gate fees, advertising etc. Is your city planning to host a major sporting event that necessitates their upgrade? Sport and recreation are important in communities, but pulling funding from health care to promote sport is bad news.
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One stadium in question could not sell out tickets for televised events last year. They were subject to blackout and at the last minute (every time!) Kroger had to buy the tickets and give them away to the public.
There is no "major" sporting event coming to town. They are not doing upgrades. I believe it is a debt we owe.
The other stadium has been pulling in a lot of money this year due to the fact that they are in 1st in the league or tied for it.
I do understand that the stadiums serve the community budget wise. I just think there is another way it could be paid for.
I do think there is a lot to look up on everything.
I'm glad you're getting involved in this, because it sounds like a major mess. The great thing about the net is it's a lot easier to get grass-roots organizations pulled together! So start small, by talking with friends and neighbors. If you're on Facebook, start canvassing local friends/local friends of friends/etc. for interest in defending the hospital's funding. If you or any friends have contacts with influential people, now's the time to get them involved. I used to cover city government for a living, and you'd be surprised how a sudden groundswell of public anger, particularly when expressed through phone calls and letters, will spook mayors and city council members.
If you're intent on changing this, make sure you educate yourself about the local political structure. How often are people re-elected? Who's an at-large council member, and who represents a specific ward or segment of the city? Is anyone facing re-election this year? What are the ward or city political district boundaries? Once you've gotten a good core group together, try to target council members who are facing re-election, especially if there's any sort of competitive race involved. Councilman Jones is going to be a lot more receptive to changing his plans if all of a sudden he's deluged with calls from Ward 16 registered voters angry over the loss of funding for the hospital!
I'd love to read more about the situation, so if you can, please post articles.
I believe the commissioner in question is up for re-election this year. Ha ha.
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
They did use the health care reform as part of the reason. However, they are talking of ending it in 2011 or 2012. No one can be 100% certain of what kind of care people will really receive until it comes. It's easy to assume that it will be taken care of by reform, but honestly, if 2012 comes and we have a new President, who's to say they won't change the reform?
Just to be clear, I'm not making that argument - but I can see how one could argue that indigent care subsidies aren't going to be needed with HCR.
Wow, and I thought you were talking about FLA until you posted the links. Had no idea Cincy was going through this, and I like...........eh, somewhat near it. I don't live in OH though so, IDK.
I went to a game at the baseball park though, just this year.
PNC Park is a lot like what you are talking about as far as things getting "pushed" through. Heinz Field and PNC were both shot down by voters, and they got built anyway. I got news for the people who "pushed" it through too. Attendance for that stadium during years 2 through...........eh, well, the present (because of not winning games) has been horrible. After the first year was done, the love affair with seeing "the new park" wore off and people didn't go. Can't even tell you how many people would say "I'm never going there, it was voted against and they did it anyway. Bunch of bologna." Attendance suffered and the team was forced to act accordingly..................let go of players, not seek free agents etc.......
So, in the end, pushing the building of the stadiums through did no good. The Pirates can't give away tickets these days. It did not bring in any business, create jobs or induce tourism. People remembered the stadium being built against the people's wishes, didn't go................and to the bottom of the baseball world the Pirates went and remain.
Surely, if the tax was put in place specifically for the hospital fund, the funds cannot be used for anything else?
You would think so.
However, they have been trying to do this sort of fund re-arranging in my state also (Wisconsin). A few years ago, our lame-duck governor took money from the patient compensation fund and used it to relieve other failing trusts. The physicians got together (they fund the patient compensation trust) and got lawyers to sue the state and won the court case and are in the process of getting the money back.
I am soooo sick of politicians. We need to start over in Washington. The smoke and mirrors game they are playing with tax payer dollars is ridiculous.
How much am I really allowed to get involved though, since I am a volunteer for this hospital? I obviously don't want to cross any boundary. We were told to not talk to media.
The media is aware. The public is not as aware. It has not been that publicized, only because it's just talk right now. Though it sounds like serious talk to me.
If you're a volunteer, the only thing the hospital can do to you is not let you do so any more - and boo hoo, you go volunteer at another facility.
I would strongly suggest you start contacting people at the Enquirer's local news desk. Get as many other locals as possible to do so as well. If you start pushing people like the local news editor & asst. editors, the government/public affairs asst. editor, and the Hamilton County reporter, you should get a decent response. If they get a bunch of calls from readers wanting to know why they haven't delved into the mess, it'll definitely get someone's attention. Here's a link to the Enquirer's staff information; just scroll down to the section that covers the local news division for names and email addresses: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=contact
If you're a volunteer, the only thing the hospital can do to you is not let you do so any more - and boo hoo, you go volunteer at another facility.
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I'm just going to ask my manager. I don't want to leave the hospital. The main reason I volunteer here is because I support them, and I love what they do for the less fortunate. I'm sure there is a way I can stay as a volunteer and show my support and support this cause as well. They do offer volunteer positions on special projects, so I'll see if that is something I can get into that also involves this.
Wow, and I thought you were talking about FLA until you posted the links. Had no idea Cincy was going through this, and I like...........eh, somewhat near it. I don't live in OH though so, IDK.
I went to a game at the baseball park though, just this year.
PNC Park is a lot like what you are talking about as far as things getting "pushed" through. Heinz Field and PNC were both shot down by voters, and they got built anyway. I got news for the people who "pushed" it through too. Attendance for that stadium during years 2 through...........eh, well, the present (because of not winning games) has been horrible. After the first year was done, the love affair with seeing "the new park" wore off and people didn't go. Can't even tell you how many people would say "I'm never going there, it was voted against and they did it anyway. Bunch of bologna." Attendance suffered and the team was forced to act accordingly..................let go of players, not seek free agents etc.......
So, in the end, pushing the building of the stadiums through did no good. The Pirates can't give away tickets these days. It did not bring in any business, create jobs or induce tourism. People remembered the stadium being built against the people's wishes, didn't go................and to the bottom of the baseball world the Pirates went and remain.
I can't believe that! Well, we can still give away tickets (football.) Just can't sell them.
You know, I think people would go to the football games if they could afford them. But for example, it would cost between $150-$160 for 2 people to go to 1 football game and pay for parking. That doesn't include if they buy and drinks/food during the game.
The same 2 people can go to a baseball game for $19-$24 with parking. The baseball stadium has changed around the economy. They have cheap seats, and they offer a $1 concession stand.
If the football stadium would lower their prices (instead they raised them this year despite relying on Kroger to buy their tickets), then I think it would be a more worthwhile investment. But in this economy, the community cannot afford to go to a football game.
It doesn't help that the city has had to let go of tons of police officers. People were already afraid to go to downtown. Now that there are less patrols, they really don't want to go down there. The night life seems to run across the river.
I do understand why the stadiums are important, business wise. There is a huge project (privately owned by multiple investment companies) going on downtown (conveniently directly in between the 2 stadiums.) Without the business of the stadiums, the potential business for that project would dramatically decrease.
Ugh, but my heart just tells me it's wrong, because it is. The homeless coalition has been fighting the city for years, but most recently a lot has arisen, on a "panhandling" law. I think it's worthless (the panhandling law.) I am very familiar with downtown, and being a petite, young female, I have NEVER been bothered by the homeless. But the city thinks its important to use up the lack of jail space (mind you they release criminals very early because of the lack of space), and city money to lock up homeless people who beg for money.
Sometimes I am just embarrassed to live here. But now I see it isn't just my city. Makes me sick.
I think it's important to note "University Hospital’s charity care calculations are based on costs, not charges, and the aggregate figure does not include bad debt or shortfalls in Medicare payments."
happy2learn
1,118 Posts
Cincinnati
There has been some local media coverage. Here are a few links to articles, but the majority of the information I received was from watching interviews on this local sunday news show with the commissioner who proposed the idea (Greg Hartmann), and then a rep from University came in the next week.
Is it time to end University Hospital subsidy? | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
Making the poor fund stadiums is outrageous | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
Latest stadium tax fix: cut hospital money | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
Plans to bail out stadium fund all have problems | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
University Hospital serves thousands of poor patients | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
They did use the health care reform as part of the reason. However, they are talking of ending it in 2011 or 2012. No one can be 100% certain of what kind of care people will really receive until it comes. It's easy to assume that it will be taken care of by reform, but honestly, if 2012 comes and we have a new President, who's to say they won't change the reform?