WMC and MRH Never Cease to Amaze Me

The process in this case worked exactly the way it was designed to work and SHH's suggestion that the de novo hearing was a 'reversal' should be disregarded....There is nothing orderly about allowing one of the world's largest health care corporations to construct a multi-million dollar losing facility in a community already fully served by two nearby public hospitals.
In anticipation of the HSDA hearing for Spring Hill Hospital on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, I present to you these snippets from official filings and responses by Spring Hill Hospital, Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital.

Initial Filings:
Spring Hill Hospital Petition for Review
WMC and MRH Response to Petition for Review
State of Tennessee Response to Petition for Review

Filings after HSDA ruled in November that it would review the case:
WMC and MRH Brief
Spring Hill Hospital's Reply Brief

WMC and MRH Response to Petition for Review:

"The initial vote of the Agency after it considers a CON application serves only to allocate the burden of proof for the parties in the contested case."

"The process in this case worked exactly the way it was designed to work and SHH's suggestion that the de novo hearing was a 'reversal' should be disregarded."

"The Agency should not set a precedent for reviewing contested cases simply because the losing party is dissatisfied with the result of the hearing."

Then, after the agency agreed to review the contested case despite WMC and MRH's assertion that it should not, WMC and MRH's takes a different approach to wooing the HSDA.

From WMC and MRH's Brief:

"In the overwhelming majority of cases, the initial decision-making process works so well that no contested case review is requested."

"Likewise, the trial refuted HCA's claim that the idea for SHH arose from a plea by city officials for someone to serve the community's unrnet health care needs."

Proof that WMC and MRH do have their head in the sand...

"At the July 2006 Agency meeting, HCA and its supporters referred many times to the 'fever pitch' and 'staggering pace' of population growth in Spring Hill, growth that was 'extraordinary' and showed 'no signs of slowing down.' (Hr'g Tr. 4.) The basis for all these overheated claims was Luke's report."

"Without Luke's projected 'staggering' population growth, there simply is no need for a new hospital in Spring Hill."

WMC and MRH marketing 101...

"HCA supporters asserted that 'convenient access' was an important reason to approve the project. Several members of the public who spoke in favor of the application suggested that a new hospital was needed for this reason."

"Of course, responsible health planning cannot be based solely on anecdotes of lay witnesses. If asked, almost any citizen would support a new health care facility being built nearby."

"It is apparent that the minimal improvement in convenience of access that SHH might represent is not a material factor."

"There is nothing orderly about allowing one of the world's largest health care corporations to construct a multi-million dollar losing facility in a community already fully served by two nearby public hospitals."

In stark contrast to WMC and MRH's response is the State's Response:

"Counsel for the State supports the request for HSDA review of the Initial Order of the Administrative Judge because it would not be unreasonable for a Tribunal with a broad mix of expertise on healthcare, business, and public policy to review the evidence presented before the Administrative Judge and conclude that the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Initial Order are materially contradicted by proof in the record. This is especially true given the unique factual issues resulting from the rapid growth experienced by the Spring Hill area, and the difficulties presented by simply applying the Guidelines for Growth to such a unique situation."

Spring Hill Hospital's Response:

"WMC and MRH devote most of their brief to tactics designed to distract from the real issues, as is evident in their efforts to pillory the character of HCA and its witnesses with strident and accusatory language."

Oh, in case you were wondering, there just might be a need for convenient access to health care in Southern Williamson County after all (Emphasis Added)...

"Establishing services at Tollgate increases access to health care within the areas we are committed to serving," says Rodger Klein, chief operating officer at Williamson Medical Center and member of the Williamson-Saint Thomas Community Health Board of Directors. "This location at the intersection of I-840 and Columbia Pike in southern Williamson County will be convenient and helpful for a large population."

Williamson-Saint Thomas Community Health LLC to anchor Tollgate Village Medical Pavilion Healthcare developer announces anchor tenant for upscale, community-based development south of Nashville Franklin, Tenn. - Healthcare real estate developer First Colony Healthcare announced today their anchor tenant for the 45,000 square foot medical office building in Thompson's Station, Tenn., at the Tollgate Village development. The newly formed joint venture between Saint Thomas Health Services and Williamson Medical Center will utilize 30,000 square feet of the building as a new center for medical services for southern Williamson County.  Tollgate Village Medical Pavilion is the first expansion location for Williamson-Saint Thomas Community Health LLC, a joint venture that allows the two institutions to work together to provide a broad range of healthcare services in Williamson County. "We are very excited to be working with Saint Thomas and Williamson Medical on this project," said Dennis Norvet, President of First Colony Healthcare.   "Thompson's Station is a vibrant area with a growing population and solid demographics for healthcare.  With the completion of I-840, Tollgate Village Medical Pavilion is well situated for the residents of all of southern Williamson County." Located 30 minutes south of Nashville in Williamson County, Tollgate Village is a 360-acre community designed to provide a small-town feel with luxury homes, condominiums, and nearby retail shops, restaurants and parks. "Establishing services at Tollgate increases access to health care within the areas we are committed to serving," says Rodger Klein, chief operating officer at Williamson Medical Center and member of the Williamson-Saint Thomas Community Health Board of Directors. "This location at the intersection of I-840 and Columbia Pike in southern Williamson County will be convenient and helpful for a large population."   The Tollgate Village Medical Pavilion will begin construction in March and is slated for completion in late 2008.  Adjacent to the medical office building will be approximately 21,000 square feet of retail in 3 buildings fronting Tollgate Boulevard.   "The partnership between Saint Thomas Health Services and Williamson Medical Center continues to grow and expand," says Wes Littrell, STHS Chief Strategy Officer and President of Saint Thomas Health Services Affiliates. "Our combined presence in the new Tollgate Center represents our mutual commitment to providing greater access to excellent healthcare to people in the neighborhoods and communities where they live and work. Our affiliation with Williamson Medical Center represents a true sense of collaboration that benefits the physicians and patients of Williamson County." About First Colony Healthcare, LLC First Colony Healthcare, LLC is a full service healthcare real estate and development company that focuses on the development of high-end medical facilities ranging from medical office buildings to specialty hospitals. Unique to First Colony Healthcare is a competitive, flexible approach that allows the company to respond quickly to market changes and offer expanded development opportunities. Its parent company, 33-year-old First Colony Corporation specializes in development, sales, leasing, management and acquisitions for Class A office, medical, mixed- and multiple-use properties. For more information, please visit >www.firstcolonyhealthcare.com. About Saint Thomas Health Services Saint Thomas Hospital is a member of Saint Thomas Health Services, a faith-based ministry with more than 8,000 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health Services' regional health system consists of four hospitals - Baptist and Saint Thomas in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville - and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures in diagnostics, cardiac services and ambulatory surgery as well as medical practices, the Center for Spinal Surgery, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. STHS is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.sths.com. About Williamson Medical Center Williamson Medical Center is a 185-bed hospital, fully accredited by The Joint Commission, that provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care including emergency services. WMC's medical staff includes more than 500 board-certified physicians in 36 specialties. The community-focused hospital offers a wide range of wellness services, screenings and classes. For more information about Williamson Medical Center, visit >www.williamsonmedicalcenter.orgcolor="#333300" face="georgia,palatino" size="2">. Tollgate Village | Thompson's Station, Tennessee

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