Slam Dunk (7-1)

For those of you interested, around noon today the HSDA overturned a previous court ruling 7-1 in favor of the Spring Hill Hospital. They are now in the process of writing their decision (and systematically tearing apart Williamson Medical and Maury Regional). Williamson and Maury could appeal this one more time to the Supreme Court (which they might) so now is the time to start writing your representatives and tell them to put this to an end.

By the way...hold on to those wallets because both of our counties are going to be spending a bundle on ALL of these legal proceedings. Remember, loser pays ALL. Seeing that room full of attorneys, and knowing how many rooms full of attorneys there have been in this fight, it is going to be AWFULLY expensive! What a great way to spend OUR money.

I will be back later when this all shakes out some more.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

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

powered by

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Show your support!

HSDA Hearing on Spring Hill Hospital

---

Wednesday, February 27th at 8:30 a.m.
The Sommet Center
501 Broadway
Meeting Rooms D-G
Nashville, TN
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
FOR THE SPRING HILL HOSPITAL


 In 2006, the Health Services Development Agency (HSDA) granted TriStar Health Systems the right to build a Hospital in Spring Hill by approving a Certificate of Need (CON) to build a 56 bed hospital off of Kedron Road and Saturn Parkway.

 Prior to the CON’s approval, the Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital (CFSHH), a voluntary, community driven grassroots group, procured 10,250 signatures from Maury and Williamson County residents in support of the proposed Spring Hill Hospital in 2006.

 Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital have actively opposed the Spring Hill Hospital and have spent over $1 million collectively to overturn and appeal the decision.

 The appeals process continues to unfold. The CFSHH encourages supporters to attend the upcoming HSDA hearing this month to show your support for TriStar/HCA as they bring the issue back before the Agency. Details of the hearing are as follows:


Wednesday, February 27th at 8:30 a.m.

The Sommet Center
501 Broadway
Meeting Rooms D-G
Nashville, TN


Parking is available on Fourth & Sixth Avenues and Demonbreun Street. The meeting rooms are on the lower level of the Sommet Center. Seating is limited to 150 people. Spring Hill residents are encouraged to arrive early to procure a seat.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Administrative Law Judge Revokes Approval of Spring Hill Hospital

From the Tennessean:

State denies HCA hospital in Spring Hill
Administrative law judge revokes approval of the controversial project

By: KATHRIN CHAVEZ
Staff Writer

A state administrative law judge has ruled that HCA cannot build a 56-bed hospital in Spring Hill.

The ruling came in the wake of an appeal by Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital against the state Health Services and Development Agency’s approval of HCA’s certificate of need application for the hospital.

Administrative Judge Leonard Pogue wrote in his ruling that the Williamson and Maury hospitals had made "significant capital investments to serve the needs of their service areas, which include Spring Hill."

"The CON process does not guarantee freedom from any competition, but it does require that new facilities be approved only if there is a genuine need … Authorizing construction of a new hospital in Spring Hill before there is a sufficient population to support the need for such a facility would have a severe impact on both MRH and WMC … The proposed (hospital) will not contribute to the orderly development of adequate and effective health care facilities or services in the community."

Williamson Medical Center argued the proposed HCA hospital would drive up health care costs by duplicating services and technology already available at WMC and would harm the Williamson hospital’s ability to serve patients siphoning away an estimated $19 million during its first five years alone, said hospital
spokeswoman Laura Bustetter.

Williamson Medical Center recently completed an $83 million expansion, which included 59 new patient beds, a new surgery center, tripling the size of the emergency department and more physician office space.

I'll have more information once we get a copy of the judge's order...

Update: Click Here to downloand the Initial Judge's Order.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Boosterism

From MRH and WMC's Proposed Findings of Facts in the Appeal Against a Spring Hill Hospital:
Construction of a new hospital in Spring Hill is viewed by many as an important amenity for a growing town and a boost to the local economy. Such civic pride and boosterism, while certainly admirable and understandable, cannot substitute for the statutory criteria.
From the pages of Wikipedia:

Boosterism
the act of "boosting," or promoting, one's town, city, or organization, with the goal of improving public perception of it. Boosting can be as simple as "talking up" the entity at a party or as elaborate as establishing a visitors' bureau. ...The term has, in general, a negative connotation.

That folks, is how our friends from WMC and MRH have chosen to dismiss the support of over 10,000 signatures in support of a Spring Hill Hospital.

Friday marked the day that all parties involved in the appeal for Spring Hill Hospital were to have submitted their Proposed Findings of Facts to the general administrative law Judge Pogue, who is now tasked with reviewing the evidence and issuing an order within the next 90 days.

If you are interested in reading each of the parties' Proposed Findings of Facts, you may download them here:
State of Tennessee / HSDA
HCA / TriStar - Spring Hill Hospital
Maury Regional Hospital and Williamson Medical Center

Some highlights are included in the full post (I know, some of you are going to say that I am just cherry picking, but I couldn't resist...)


State of Tennessee / HSDA

1. Petitioners (MRH and WMC) have the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that this hospital is not needed, not economically feasible, or would not contribute to the orderly development of healthcare.

2. This tribunal has determined that the Petitioners (MRH and WMC) in this matter have failed to satisfy their burden of proof by establishing that one of the three statutory criteria in T.C.A. §68-11-1609(b) have not been satisfied on this record. Therefore, as a matter of law, the HSDA’s granting of the CON, # CN0604-028A, to SHH should not be reversed.

Maury Regional Hospital and Williamson Medical Center

1. Spring Hill is a Maury County municipality.

2. The majority of Spring Hill residents live in Williamson County.

3. In this contested case, evidence has been presented showing that there is strong
support for SHH among several residents of the Spring Hill area. Construction of a new hospital in Spring Hill is viewed by many as an important amenity for a growing town and a boost to the local economy. Such civic pride and boosterism, while certainly admirable and understandable, cannot substitute for the statutory criteria. The tribunal is charged with deciding this matter according to the criteria adopted by the Legislature. Community support and enthusiasm or economic development may not be considered in determining whether a CON should be granted.

4. The Court heard extensive testimony about Luke’s population projections from
Petitioners’ experts. As discussed below, the expert testimony demonstrated that Luke’s population projections are not reasonable, and in fact are implausible on their face.

5. Swanson provided the Court with a credible and reliable projection of Spring
Hill’s future population, which he summarized in a detailed and thoroughly-documented report. This analysis projects a future population of Spring Hill which is substantially lower than that submitted by Luke.

6. In sum, the evidence demonstrated that SHH’s population projections were
unreasonably high and project a level of population growth for Spring Hill that is unlikely to be sustained...If Swanson’s “high” population projections are substituted for those of Luke, then SHH is not needed.

HCA / TriStar - Spring Hill Hospital

1. MRH and WMC are competitors, and for several years each has explored the possibility of providing additional medical services in Spring Hill.

2. Spring Hill straddles the county line, and WMC and MRH have been wary of extending too far into Spring Hill.

3. Management at WMC believes that impatient services in Williamson County should be provided at WMC's campus in Franklin.

4. The growth between 2005 and 2007 exceeds even Dr. Luke's projections.

5. Dr. Swanson's "low" scenario has absolutely no credibility. That scenario is based on the Claritas estimates. ...Claritas estimated that the City of Spring Hill would have only 12,633 residents in 2005. The US Census Bureau now estimates the 2005 population of the City at 17,148.

6. Dr. Luke's projections are actually below the rate of growth in Spring Hill between 2005 and 2007. Dr. Swanson's would be even lower than that (Dr. Swansons's "high" scenario projects approximately 20,000 people in the city limits in 2010.)

7. The population growth in Maury and Williamson Counties, will more than offset the financial impact casued by those patients who choose to go to SHH rather than to MRH and WMC.

8. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-11-1610(i), "all costs of the contested case proceeding, including the administrative law judge's costs and deposition costs such as expert witness fees, shall be assessed against the losing party in the contested case."

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Small Victory for Spring Hill Hospital

Chalk one up as a small victory for Spring Hill Hospital. Today, an Administrative Law Judge issued an order DENYING the request for Summary Judgement that Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital had requested and argued yesterday. According to a source who was at the hearing, WMC and MRH attorneys had argued that the Certificate of Need issued by the HSDA last July should be REVOKED because the Certificate of Need Application contained errors and was DELIBRATELY MISLEADING.

Attorneys for both hospitals claimed that the need was exaggerated because outpatient migration was not taken into consideration, while HCA and HSDA attorneys presented evidence that everybody knew that outpatient migration was not included in the population projections.

The Summary Judgment request was a move made by WMC and MRH to SIDESTEP the appeals process. It appears that the appeal will move forward beginning April 11th through April 24th in a courtroom on the sixth floor of the Davidson County Courthouse, for those that are interested.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Official: As of November, $750,000 spent!

I thought that many of you might be interested in this. I have some more thoughts, but for now I will let the release stand on it's own.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Huebner

Spring Hill , TN – In December of 2006, the Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital (CFSHH), a volunteer advocacy group organized to promote the proposed Spring Hill Hospital , requested information from Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital under the Tennessee Open Records Act.

The group, which consists of concerned citizens residing in both Maury and Williamson Counties , requested the following information from the Counties relative to their opposition to the Certificate of Need for the Spring Hill Hospital as well as their continued appeal of the nearly unanimous 7-1 Health Services Development Agency ruling on July 26 th:

Total monies expended by WMC and MRH from May 1, 2006 through November 30, 2006 opposing the CON for Spring Hill Hospital

Total monies expended by the respective entities on advertising and marketing during this time period

The identity of any individual, organization or entity which receives any funding or in-kind services from either entity related to their opposition of the CON hearing

In mid January of this year, the CFSHH received a response from officials from both hospitals. As of November 31st, 2006, Williamson Medical Center had invested approximately $449,540 in opposition and on the appeal of the CON. Maury Regional Hospital has expended a total of $261,261.

The Citizens group was alarmed to learn that these organizations, which answer to Williamson and Maury County governments, have spent nearly $750,000 dollars fighting the very citizens that reside in their jurisdictions. This group intends to file an additional request under the Tennessee Open Records Act to obtain information from the time period of December 1 st through March 1st 2007.

As both counties enter into their budgetary processes and will seek to pass a balanced budget by June of 2007, the CFSHH believes the counties need to be held accountable for these expended funds and believe officials should answer the following questions as fiduciaries of the citizen's money:

How much property tax would a proposed $120 million hospital put in the county coffers?

How many computers, band instruments and books would the expended $750,000 have purchased for Maury and Williamson County Schools?

How many elementary school portables and playgrounds could be purchased or how many classrooms could be furnished and painted with $750,000?

How many new teachers could you hire for $750,000?
How many new police cars could you purchase for $750,000?
How much of a county employee pay raise would $750,000 fund?
Should the county raise property taxes when the county owned hospital is spending $500,000 on advertising and lobbyists to prevent economic development in Spring Hill?

If WMC/MRH has $750,000 in extra cash to waste on advertising, lobbyists and lawyers fighting economic development in Spring Hill, maybe they should return an equal amount back to the county to help pay for schools, police and firemen.

Is it true that on average, WMC & MRH are spending about $100,000/month fighting the Spring Hill Hospital?

MOST IMPORTANTLY, how long will the Hospitals continue to spend the taxpayer's money to oppose the Spring Hill Hospital?

Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital continue to actively oppose the Spring Hill Hospital. Their appeal is set for April 11th at the Davidson County Courthouse.

The Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital procured 10,250 signatures from Maury and Williamson County residents in support of the proposed Spring Hill Hospital in 2006.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Financial Disclosure?

In an article in the Tennessean last July regarding the cost of the hospital appeal, Robert Otwell made the following comment:

Otwell, Maury Regional's chief executive, said he wishes the county hospitals didn't have to spend any money to oppose Spring Hill Hospital. But "if anybody wants to look back and say, 'Did you wisely spend money to protect patient care in this area,' I'll defend that to anyone who wants to take a look at it," he said.

Well Mr. Otwell, the request has been made by The Citizens for Spring Hill Hosptial. Are you a man of your word?

CITIZENS REQUEST FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM WILLIAMSON AND MAURY COUNTIES

SPRING HILL, TN. – Last week, Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital, a community-driven grassroots group made up of supporters of the proposed of Spring Hill Hospital, officially requested financial information from Williamson and Maury County Commissions related to the opposition and appeal of the Certificate of Need (CON) granted to TriStar/HCA.

In a letter dated December 7th, from the law firm of Gordon, Garrison & Green of Spring Hill, the group requested “total monies expended” by Williamson Medical Center and Maury County Regional Hospital from May 1st thru November 30th 2006. The request includes information relating to newspaper advertising, consulting and attorney’s fees as well as in-kind contributions to other organizations opposing the CON.

The group contends taxpayers of both counties have a right to this information under the Tennessee Open Records Act. “These hospitals are county-owned. The citizens have a right to know how much the County Commissions have authorized these hospitals to spend fighting the CON application, as well as what they are spending now to appeal the nearly unanimous 7-1 decision by the HSDA,” said Dave Huebner, one of the key organizers for the Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital.

“We are hopeful the County Commissions will be forthcoming with information within 30 days as we have requested. Is it hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars they are spending? We think they should be held accountable as fiduciaries of the taxpayers’ money,” said Huebner.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Harpeth Hospital

A few interesting developments in the Spring Hill Hospital Appeal:

FIRST
State briefs: Personnel official to take new post

The real intersting news is in the last sentance of the main article:
"Deputy Gov. Dave Cooley announced Friday he would leave the administration Jan. 15 to return to the private sector, and state Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers announced Monday she would leave her post."

Since one of the members of the HSDA board is the "Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance or his/her designee", I assume that Paula Flowers will also be leaving the HSDA Board.

So, now that the lone dissenter on the HSDA Board has resigned, does this mean that the current HSDA board UNANIMOUSLY approves of Spring Hill Hospital?

Boy, that's gotta hurt WMC and MRH's chances of a successful appeal, don't you think?

SECOND
What is WMC doing proposing an Emergency Room in Thompson's Station?

I thought that our current and future needs were already being adequately provided by WMC (FLASHBACK: "We definately believe we already meet the need for hospital services").

Don't believe me about the Emergency Room in Thompson's Station? Take a look at the first floor of the proposed SeniorHealth / WMC partnership Harpeth Hospital in Thompson's Station...




Why would a rehab/psych hospital require such a large Emergency Room? Surely not for all of those medical detoxes as SeniorHealth and WMC would have you believe will occur in the application for CON0609-071.

THIRD, AND FINALLY
On the heels of a formal Freedom of Information Act request from Citizens for a Spring Hill Hospital to MRH and WMC for disclosure of all costs associated with opposing Spring Hill Hospital and the ongoing appeal, I would like to urge our friends (who are very much viewing this blog on an hourly basis) to honor this FOIA request as this is information that the public NEEDS to AND HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW. In the spirit of full disclosure by all, I would like to present to you the as yet to be audited WMC Fiscal Year 2006 Financial Statements...



I wonder just how much of an effect a Multi-Million Dollar appeal is going to have on a facility that is showing Net Operating Income of $6,856,830 (remember, that's where the cost of the appeal is really going to have its effect)...

In the real world, if I told my boss that I was going to do something that would reduce our operating income by 15 or 20 percent, I would probably be looking for a new job.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

An interesting "Letter to the Editor"

Speaking of running for Alderman, and the hospital debate, let's look at a letter to the editor submitted recently by Ward 2 alderman Eliot Mitchell.

I am not sure that I could have said it much better myself. We will hit on a few of the other inaccuracies being spoken by Williamson Medical later in the day. For now, enjoy!
---

Letter to the Editor,

Just how stupid does Laura Bustetter and her managers at Williamson Medical Center think the tax payers of Williamson County are? While it is her job to be the "talking head" for the executives of WMC, I wonder if it is her job description or the WMC executives that force her to make inaccurate and half true statements.

In Ms. Bustetter's letter of 12/3, she stated that "tax payer dollars" are not in use in Williamson Medical Center's lawsuit fighting the proposed Spring Hill Hospital. The last time I checked, WMC is a tax payer owned facility. Consequently, EVERY PENNY WMC spends is a tax payer's penny. If we applied her logic of service based revenue to other county agencies, the sheriff's office doesn't use tax dollars because they generate revenue with traffic fines and drug busts. The School system generates revenue by charging for lunches, athletic events and facility rental. I am sorry Ms. Bustetter, but as a Williamson County tax payer, I strongly disagree with your logic. Just because WMC generates non-tax revenue, does not mean WMC's use of funds is not subject to public and political scrutiny. Exactly who does WMC run to when it needs funds for capital projects or budget overruns? It definitely isn't Santa Claus, unless that is what you call the Williamson County Taxpayers.

If WMC has so much revenue and profits that they can throw it down the black hole of lobbyists and attorney fees, then why did I receive a fund raising letter from its CEO Dennis Miller last week? According to Mr. Miller's letter, WMC needs donations to "improve the services" of the Breast Health Center. Considering that WMC has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting the Spring Hill hospital, and is now risking potentially millions more on a loser pays all lawsuit, I can understand why Mr. Miller has to seek donations to "improve" the operations of the hospital.

It is hypocritical for WMC to now declare the Certificate of Need (CON) process insufficient for "complicated or broadly contested issues". The ten members of the Health Services and Development Agency hear literally hundreds of health care CON requests annually for all of Tennessee. To imply that these health care specialists are less informed than the executives of WMC and Maury Regional Medical Center just underscores the arrogance that these executives have. Every time Williamson Medical's CON requests are granted by this same board, they sing the praises, vision and wisdom of the CON process. Yet like spoiled children or arrogant executives, they refuse to accept the 7-1 vote approving the Spring Hill Hospital.

Furthermore, if WMC wins its costly appeal (which has NEVER happened in the history of the CON process) all they win is a second review by the same Health Services and Development Agency board that voted 7-1 in the original CON hearing. If they lose, they are responsible for all the costs that HCA incurred preparing for the appeal. In short, WMC is risking substantial tax payer dollars just to get a second hearing by the same board that voted 7-1 against them in the first place. Maybe I am just an ignorant tax payer, but I sure don't see how this loser pays all lawsuit is a prudent use of public funds.

Ms. Bustetter states that WMC and MRMC are asking the "tough questions that should be answered". Here are a few questions that Mr. Miller and his leadership team should answer. When are WMC and MRMC going to publicly disclose how much they have spent and project to spend fighting the Spring Hill Hospital? Why should WMC's use of public funds NOT be questioned by the tax payers of Williamson County? Why are Mr. Miller and the other Williamson County leaders risking thousands and potentially millions of tax payer dollars fighting an economic development project that over 10,000 citizens signed a petition supporting?

If Mr. Miller and Ms.Bustetter truly think that the propriety of a loser pay all lawsuit that they initiated and are funding with public money should not be challenged publicly and politically, then they don't have any business managing public resources.



Sincerely,


Eliot Mitchell
Organizer and member of Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Hospital debate...again!

Here we go again...

It appears that this issue is getting white hot again. I had hoped that Williamson and Maury counties would do something new for a change...like tell the truth. To be quite honest, I don't really enjoy fighting a battle that is this clear cut. It annoys me more and more each day to consider that our counties are going to continue spend our cash (with SIX zeroes behind it) to fight against their own citizens.

Read the articles listed below, then let's talk about "truths" and "facts".

Enjoy!

Columbia Daily Herald hospital article

PR battle over hospital heats up

By SKYLER SWISHER/Staff Writer
A group that supports building a $104-million HCA hospital in Spring Hill plans to undertake an extensive letter-writing and advertising campaign in an effort to force competing hospital officials to drop their opposition, according to an e-mail circulated to members.

But a Williamson Medical Center spokeswoman said the group is little more than a front for the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, HCA Inc.
The Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital meet last week to discuss ways to pressure Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional Hospital into dropping their opposition to a $104-million competing hospital planned by HCA Inc. (Staff photo by Melissa Webb)

“The Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital was created by, has been led by and continues to be guided by HCA,” said Laura Bustetter, director of marketing and public relations for Williamson Medical Center.

The e-mail, which was written by Spring Hill hospital supporter Cindy Jobe, advises members to send letters to the editor, call Maury and Williamson county commissioners and begin formulating a newspaper ad campaign.

“Let’s get it stirred up so much over December that these (county) commissions are forced to address this issue at their January ... meetings,” wrote Jobe, one of the initial organizers of Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital and the wife of a physician employed by HCA.

In July, the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency voted 7-1 to approve HCA Inc.’s TriStar proposal to build a new hospital in Spring Hill. The decision was appealed by Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional, both county-owned hospitals, and a hearing before an administrative law judge is scheduled to begin April 11.

The Maury County Commission and several neighboring legislative bodies have passed resolutions in support of Maury Regional.

Bustetter said it is her understanding that HCA and its public relations firms have ghostwritten letters to the editor and hired a blogger to drum up support for the hospital.

“When they are trying to project that we have a groundswell of citizens involved, quite a bit of that is driven by HCA,” she said.

Members of the organization denied Bustetter’s accusations, saying they received absolutely no support, clerical or otherwise, from HCA.

“People are passionate about this issue, and we are not short of volunteers,” Jobe said. “We have got a whole community behind us. We don’t need a corporation driving us.”

Rita Williams, a spokeswoman for Maury Regional Hospital, said she had no knowledge of letters to the editor written by PR specialists or a blogger being hired by HCA.

“My understanding is that there is definitely a strong connection,” she said about HCA’s relationship with Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital.

The e-mail states five individuals agreed to send letters to the editor that were provided at the group’s Nov. 21 meeting, two of which were published in The Daily Herald and were not attributed to the organization or HCA.

Ron DeFrancisco, who moved to Spring Hill from South Florida in February, said he was provided with suggestions and a sample letter, but the actual contents of the letter were his own.

The other letter’s author, Flo Grabowski, could not be reached for comment.

Jobe said she wrote a sample letter and distributed it to members at a Nov. 21 meeting. She also said she stressed key points the group needed to make to the public.

“I am not a public relations specialist,” she said. “I am a stay-at-home mom. It’s a compliment if she thinks it’s well written.”

A news release from the city of Spring Hill says Jobe “currently works as an independent consultant and serves on the Spring Hill Chamber board.”

Bustetter said the group has been peddling misinformation by saying taxpayers are funding the appeal and that legal expenses could total millions.

“I very much understand and believe in the American way of being involved and expressing your views,” she said. “What I am concerned about with this is the fact that they are leading people to perceive that HCA is not involved. They are very much involved.”

HCA also denied a request by Maury Regional and Williamson Medical Center to enter into binding arbitration, prolonging the appeals process, Bustetter and Williams said.

Reid Brogden, general counsel for the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency, said he was not aware of a request for binding arbitration.

An HCA spokeswoman could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Williamson Herald Letters to the Editor

Let's cut right to the chase and attempt to get some "truthful" answers...so, Ms. Bustetter:

1.) Is Williamson Medical Center a non-profit COUNTY entity?
2.) Is Maury Regional Hospital a non-profit COUNTY entity?
3.) How much did the initial CON process cost Williamson Medical and Maury regional? Please include marketing, advertising, public relations, consultant fees (i.e. lobbyist Jerry Sharber), legal fees, etc in your calculations?
4.) How much is this hospital appeal costing Williamson Medical Center, Maury Regional, and HCA?
5.) Is it true that the loser of the appeal pays the entire cost of the appeal, including those costs accrued by HCA during this process?
6.) Is it also true that this Certificate of Need was decided by a 7-1 vote?
7.) How many CON's have been overturned in the past? Of those...how many were 7-1 decisions?

Now, since I am the one asking all of the questions, let's answer a few that have been asked by Ms. Bustetter.

1.) Has this Citizens for Spring Hill group been run and funded by HCA?
*answer* Absolutely not! Look at the players for yourself. A stay at home mom, a school teacher, city officials including a few aldermen and the mayor, a professional blogger (I think that is me, although there is nothing professional about this site), and thousands of community members. Is it so hard to believe that almost 11,000 signatures are possible in a community of over 25,000? Ms. Bustetter, it is called hard work, not corporate sponsorship!

2.) Let's talk about this "PAID professional blogger"... I can assure you that this website is absolutely free (provided by blogger.com). This website was started to get the community involved in city politics long before this hospital discussion, and it has worked extremely well. And I can attest to the fact that I have not received a penny to do anything on this website (unlike the WMC employee who received a flagrant PASS to operate his own site during the CON process, on which he spewed WMC's twisted and disgraceful propaganda). I write all this stuff for two reasons:
a) to give the citizens an understanding of what is going on in their city and how they can become involved
b) to stir the pot, and point out things that city leaders say that have value, and also those things that make very little sense.

Sadly, for WMC and MRH, these two things both came to a head, because there was more trash being spewed by both of our county governments to fill this message board for years to come. Sorry again Ms. Bustetter, there are some people willing to fight even though they are not being paid to do so!

3.) Let's discuss this "use of taxpayer funds" that seems to be of some question. A not-for-profit hospital, controlled by the county, hopefully produces a profit at the end of the year so that the county (aka TAXPAYERS, aka CITIZENS, aka YOU AND ME) do not have to prop up that hospital. So since we are talking about two different counties, let's break those out for a second.

* Williamson Medical Center: Although it is true that WMC operates under its own budget and funds, it was WMC and their well paid 'henchmen' that were going to all of the communities in the area and saying that it was each municipality's 'fiduciary responsibility' to oppose Spring Hill Hospital because THE DEBT SERVICE OF WMC IS HELD SOLELY BY WILLIAMSON COUNTY CITIZENS. Lets not kid ourselves here, the only difference between a for-profit hospital and a not-for-profit hospital is their balance sheet. WMC is using its own operational expenses to fight this appeal, from which could come new services and facility expansion. Instead, these funds are being used to appeal a 7-1 decision. Case in point...I wish I had a camera when I visited a friend and his wife who recently had a baby at WMC - Can you really call a storage closet and a converted patient room a state of the art nursery and NICU as your print and radio ads say that you now have? I am sure that this is just one example of 'services' that are being compromised or cut because you insist on spending money on this worthless appeal. Question to Mr. Miller and Ms. Bustetter: Who's paying the yearly cost of YOUR debt service? Answer: The taxpayers of Williamson County!

* Maury Regional Hospital: The big threat all along made by MRH was they did not have the funds to deal with a competitor in the area, and there was a good chance that the hospital would have to ask the taxpayers to help keep it afloat. This would lead to fewer services provided to the citizens and higher medical costs for the region. It is also a fact that MRH receives operating expenses each year directly from Maury County Citizens, so Maury County Citizens are most certainly paying directly for this appeals process.

The last thing that I'll add... Did the folks at WMC ever consider that by coming out so PUBLICLY against the Citizens for Spring Hill Hospital at this time that they have actually put themselves into a TRAP? Trust me, it is no secret that WMC and MRH would want this appeals process to continue under the radar. Now it seems that will no longer be possible as they have come out publicly in a very arrogant way (nothing says 'I know what's better for you than you do', more then an attempt to appeal a 7-1 decision) to attack the resolve of the Spring Hill community. But I guess that is par for an organization accustomed to bullying tactics and organized campaigns.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Things are starting to come together

I hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

I am personally very thankful (among many other reasons) that our city has FINALLY begun to shake off some of our past habits and are really starting to look proactively at our city in terms of planning. It has begun to shape everything in our city, even despite the wishes of some. In fact, it appears that even those that have historically been most outspoken against some of these measures are even the ones now making and seconding motions. Good stuff...surely there isn't an election approaching? Nah!

Here is a quick glimpse of what happened while most of us were out of town (and of course a little commentary below).

---
Economic Development Council has been formed

The amazing part of this article lies with those that oppose it. Here is a funny quote from the article that you should all enjoy.

"According to Cindy Williams, wife of former city mayor Ray Williams, her husband had set up the commission around 2002, but it had 'fizzled out' after a year when they realized larger companies would move to the city regardless of the commission's work."

While Cindy Williams is correct in her assumption that business follows growth, she is very poorly educated on the types of issues that drive major economic development and corporate development. This commission (in the hands of the right people...jury is still out) can be extremely effective in helping develop the right type of business in our city. This can be a tremendous tool for our city, as can a Chamber of Commerce "in the hands of the right people." Hopefully with the departure of some on the chamber, we can make great strides in improving both.

"Williams said she wasn't sure how much the commission could do for the city. She said larger businesses like Kroger, Target and Publix already know about the values and growth rate of Spring Hill without a group convincing them of it."

'Spring Hill will rock along whether they have it or not,' she said.

Now that is the type of attitude a community leader should have (tongue placed firmly in my cheek)! If we do not promote our city, no one else is going to do it for us. Both counties are beyond poor at promoting our city, and only fight us. I am sure that all of the development in Williamson County was brought about by sheer coincidence...especially Nissan!

Someday maybe people will begin thinking before they speak...
(in some cases, maybe they won't)

---
Rec-Center approval

This is very much a needed thing. There are quite a few things that stink in this, but one way or another it needs to be done. Do a little research for yourselves and find out how much all of the other communities paid for their rec centers, etc.

I will save you the time...

Brentwood Indoor Recreation Complex - City of Brentwood Contribution: Land
Brentwood Indoor Soccer Complex - City of Brentwood Contribution: Land
Franklin Soccer Complex - Land
Fairview Recreation Center - City of Fairview Contribution: A big fat 'Thank You'

Bethesda, College Grove, Hillsboro, Nolensville, and Thompson's Station - Freebies

...the other communities don't pay for theirs.

Either way...great development for all of us!

---
Spring Hill Hospital / Ambulance

The battle wages on...and I can tell you that it is going to get ugly again very soon. The appeal will not be affected one way or another, but if people at Williamson and Maury are listening the PR campaign is about to get rolling again by the Concerned Citizens for a Spring Hill Hospital.

The amount of taxpayer money being spent on this appeal is amazing! More to come soon.

---
Money approved for Master Thoroughfare Assessment and Plan

This is probably the most needed thing that our city has done in quite some time.
We will talk about this at length soon (maybe even tomorrow), but it is a very good thing for our city, albeit late.

By the way, the state is planning to start fixing Duplex very soon! Great stuff!

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Millions

This from the Williamson AM this morning:

Cost of hospital appeals 'will be significant'

"The cost will be significant," Brogden said. "I'd rather not speculate on the cost, but we have had cases that were in the millions of dollars. And this is a complicated case."

How much is this really going to cost MRH and WMC? How many services could be added or improved upon with the 'Millions of Dollars' that this futile appeal is going to cost?

Here's a few that I came up with:
1. A fully staffed and equiped NICU Unit for WMC and MRH (at $50,000 a bed that WMC relies on private donations to support)

2. A fully functional Cath Lab

3. A 128 or 256 slice CT Scan

4. A fully funded Foundation for WMC

Any of thing about this rub you the wrong way?

Call your county commissioners:
County Commissioner Judy Hayes (Williamson): 615-794-5380
County Commissioner Clyde Lynch (Williamson): 615-368-7870
County Commissioner Gwynne Evans (Maury): 931-486-2848
County Commissioner Bob Farmer (Maury): ?????

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

TAXPAYER $$$

Crazy day! Let's get back to looking at taxpayer funding of this CON opposition...AND CONTINUED APPEAL !

According to the Columbia Daily Herald, Maury Regional Hospital has admitted to spending $167,400 thus far in their cause to oppose Spring Hill Hospital. I think that this is a conservative estimate, and does not include a single cent of the appeal process. Does anyone now doubt the WASTE of TAXPAYER money as our elected officials continue this fight against a 7-1 decision?

I would LOVE to see actual numbers from Williamson Medical, because it will far eclipse the total from Maury County taxpayers.

Columbia Daily Herald Article

Maury Regional spends $167,000 in turf war



By SKYLER SWISHER/Staff Writer
Maury Regional Hospital loaded its slingshot with at least $167,400 in its initial attempt to ward off “Goliath,” and more expenses could be forthcoming in the nonprofit health provider’s fight against the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain.

MRH recently responded to The Daily Herald’s request for a breakdown of expenses as of July 26, the date of a state hearing in which officials voted 7-1 to allow HCA to build a 56-bed, $105-million hospital in Spring Hill.

MRH CEO Robert Otwell has compared the hospital’s opposition to HCA’s proposal to “David versus Goliath.”

During the first round of the battle, MRH spent $77,500 in attorney and legal fees, $75,500 in contracted services and $14,400 in advertising and marketing, according to data provided by the hospital.

Contracted services included a study by a population analyst as well as communications consulting by a Nashville-based public-relations firm.

MRH did not release an itemized list of expenses. Instead, officials provided three lump sums for attorney and legal fees, contracted services and advertising and marketing.

Rita Williams, director of marketing for MRH, said the hospital was unable to determine expenses incurred as a result of employee hours spent working on MRH’s campaign against the proposed hospital.

But she said the potential costs of allowing a Spring Hill hospital to be built more than justify the expenses.

“Any hospital in America is going to oppose a new hospital 14 miles from its front door,” she said. “The potential loss of patient revenue is substantial and would significantly overshadow any expenses.”

The decision by MRH and Williamson Medical Center to appeal the certificate-of-need approval began the second round of the showdown. A hearing will be conducted from April 11-24 before an administrative law judge.

The appeals process could cost the losing party tens of thousands of dollars in administrative fees, deposition fees and expert witness fees, said Reid Brogden, general counsel for the Health Services and Development Agency.

MRH paid legal fees accrued as of July 26 to Nashville-attorney Dan Elrod of Miller & Martin, PLLC, officials said.

Williams said MRH did not conduct a cost-benefit analysis when deciding whether to appeal the agency’s decision. Since the agency’s inception in 2002, no appeal has overturned the Health Services and Development Agency’s decision, Brogden said.

Williams said it would be “speculative to estimate the cost of the appeals process.”

Frank Morgan, a Nashville-based health-care industry analyst with Jefferies & Co., said he is not surprised by MRH’s decision to appeal.

“I don’t know if it is a wise decision,” Morgan said. “It is certainly normal they would take this thing through every avenue of the existing procedural process. That’s just the way it works. People do that. Even if they lose, they’ll go through the appeals until there is absolutely no appeals process left.”

NO CHOICE?

The consequences of standing aside as a new hospital moves in could be serious for Maury Regional and the community, Williams said.

A second hospital in Maury County would skim off well-insured patients from MRH, duplicate services already provided, raise the cost of health care in the region and threaten MRH’s ability to deliver care to all patients in southern Middle Tennessee, regardless of their ability to pay, she said.

“After carefully examining the impact that another hospital would have on MRH, we felt it was our obligation to protect the financial well-being of the hospital ... for all of the 260,000 residents of our region who depend on us, including those in Spring Hill,” she said.

Morgan said legal disputes among hospitals are not uncommon in states that utilize a certificate-of-need process.

“At the end of the day, an existing hospital company doesn’t want new competition,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. They’d just as soon not have any competition.”

One expense reported by MRH was the hiring of a population growth analysis expert, a one-time expenditure that Williams said will benefit MRH during its appeals hearing.

MRH also contracted with Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock Inc., a public affairs firm founded in January. MRH is no longer using the firm, Williams said.

“If you asked a resident in any town if they would like a hospital, chances are they would immediately respond with a ‘yes,’” Williams said. “That is because we see hospitals as a good thing. So you can see we were presented with a challenge of educating those we serve about why we opposed another hospital in the county.”

MRH bankrolled all of the expenses of Coalition4Care, a group of health-care workers and citizens dedicated to opposing an HCA hospital in Maury County.

Williams said “adjustments will be made in other administrative areas of the budget to offset ... expenses,” but she could not specify what adjustments were made.

“It is not possible to itemize the expense reductions,” she said. “Overall, even with the additional unforeseen expenses, the hospital achieved its targeted budget for fiscal year 2006.”

HCA DECLINES REQUEST

The Daily Herald made a similar request for information from HCA, but officials declined to release any information about the hospital’s expenditures.

Cheryl Chubbs, an HCA spokeswoman, cited the hospital’s status as a private corporation as a justification for withholding the information.

“Our expenses are proprietary,” she said. “Sharing this type of information would set a precedent and generate numerous other requests.”

Chubbs said most of HCA’s marketing expenses are budgeted a year in advance and none were set aside specifically for efforts to win approval for a hospital in Spring Hill. At any rate, such a comparison would not be “apples to apples,” she said.

“It is not real easy because our advertising is placed for all of our hospitals together under a group,” Chubbs said.

“The only thing we ran were four ads talking about four community events,” she added. “That was the only thing that was specific to Spring Hill.”

Even if MRH’s appeal is unsuccessful, the hospital’s decision to appeal could postpone construction of HCA’s hospital by nine months, Chubbs said.

“Our expenses will surpass our original projections due to the appeal filed by Maury Regional and Williamson Medical Center,” she said.

If built, the Spring Hill hospital would open in 2010.

Remember folks, loser pays ALL in the appeal process! When the judge upholds the 7-1 decision by the HSDA, Maury and Williamson County TAXPAYERS will foot the entire legal cost! I hope that our elected officials remember this decision when their re-elections come up. How many teacher salaries would this pay for? What kind of school facilities could be built for the kind of figures that we are little throwing around? What kind of infrastructure improvements could be made with this sea of cash?

Stop this appeal process, and stop WASTING our time and money!

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Keep following the $$$

Okay, I really did want this hospital issue to go away, but I think that there are a few more things that need to see the light of day.

Appeal set for April

A few months ago, we came up with a pretty substantial amount of TAXPAYER money that was being spent to fight this hospital in Spring Hill. Let's review that list again:

1.) Advertising - at this point the number is right around $100,000
2.) Jerry Sharber's retainer - in excess of $100,000
3.) Legal fees from CON hearing - I'll do more research, but it makes items #1 and 2 look pretty paltry.
4.) Legal fees for the appeal - I have heard numbers like $150,000 per month, but will do more research to verify. Let's see...$150,000 x 9 months = 1.35 million

* Remember that the LOSER pays the entire cost
** Remember that the vote was 7-1...and I should repeat 7-1
*** Remember that an HSDA decision is very rarely if EVER overturned.
**** Remember that if a decision is overturned, it will go back to the HSDA to be heard again. The first time it was heard, the decision was 7-1.
***** If all of this does in fact happen, that TAXPAYER cost figure that we are talking about will at least double.

So, having looked at items 1-4, let's just say that OUR money is being spent to the tune of $2,000,000.00 or more to this point. That does not even begin to touch on the economic impact that will be caused by Williamson Medical Center and Maury Regional to both counties. Delaying this hospital development by at least 9 months will also do a few things:

1.) Delay impact fees and take away one year's worth of tax revenue to both counties. How much would that money help things like schools and road construction in all areas of this region?
2.) Delay 350+ jobs to the area
3.) Delay road and infrastructure improvements to the area
4.) Delay construction jobs in the area
5.) Delay the development of other business that likes to ride the coat tails of major industry, which causes further loss of tax and impact revenue to both counties.

...and here is the kicker of it all

This decision by Williamson Medical and Maury Regional to appeal a 7-1 decision is an absolute slap in the face to the citizens that fill your beds, and would have filled your beds for years to come. By delaying development, not only are the counties being EXTREMELY irresponsible with TAXPAYER dollars, but they are alienating a city that is becoming more influential by the day. Great decision WMC and MRH!

Can't we find a better use of several MILLION dollars that this?
Couldn't our school system use a little extra cash?
Why are our County officials allowing this to happen?

Wasn't that vote 7-1?

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Various Tidbits

Here are a couple of interesting articles to take a look at before we dive back into some of the city political issues stirring right now.

This one will help all of you understand how Williamson Medical and Maury Regional do business behind the scenes when they are out "uniting" opposition to something. I still feel sorry for the situations that many municipalities were placed in throughout this process.
Williamson Medical Center Intimidation

This is an EXCELLENT piece written by Ron DeYoung at Maury News Net. I think it speaks for itself so read it.
Maury News Net Article

Now, getting back to Monday night's meeting that lasted until midnight (work sessions are always much longer than regular board meetings, but not usually this long). Topic #1 on the agenda, Ambulance Service.
Ambulance decision approaches this Monday night

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

MRH and WMC appeal decision

Some people never learn. Nothing like taking a little bad PR and then creating more on your own. It will be interesting to see the argument for this one.

For all of the hospital supporters out there, you shouldn't lose too much sleep over this decision being overturned. You will however lose more of your tax money! Lawyers are expensive too...

Nashville Business Journal

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

So What Happens Now?

Here is a question to throw out there.

If (when) Maury Regional and Williamson Medical appeal this 7-1 decision, could it hurt them even more?

Let's look at this from a Marketing and PR standpoint. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars have already been spent to oppose this hospital in Spring Hill. Even more will be spent in legal fees appealing this 7-1 decision over the next few months. Is it in the "best interests of both counties" to not only further distance themselves from the citizens of Spring Hill (who will still be needed to fill their hospitals), but spend their money in doing it?

I would venture a guess that it would do far more good for everyone involved to leave this 7-1 decision alone and let Spring Hill's citizens attempt to forget about all of the hard feelings established these past few months. After all, this hospital is not expected to be completed until 2010.

Again, THANK YOU to all of those that have been involved in this process. This truly could not have happened without this city coming together as it has over the past few months.

...and thank you HCA TriStar and the City of Spring Hill for giving the citizens an idea to unify behind. As Mr. Leverette always says "the sun is shining on the City of Spring Hill today!"

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Welcome Spring Hill Hospital!

Enough said!

Hospital CON passes 7-1.

Talk to all of you later, now you can go out and celebrate again!

And CA, if you would like to call and gloat again today I would be happy to speak with you.

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...

Final Hours

Last night, at about 8:45pm, this blog sustained an attack by The Voice of Reason

The Good
"Thanks to everyone for their tireless work; the Board of Mayor and Alderman, private citizens, bloggers, business leaders, letter writers, petition volunteers, and those behind the scenes citizens who have ventured out of their comfort zones to give their time and efforts to better our community. If nothing better comes of this than to unify our city, then the effort will have been well worth it."

The Bad
"The really sad thing is that WMC and MRH have so insensed the people of Spring Hill that hospital or no hospital, the damage they've done to their own reputations may be beyond repair as our citizens will have a long memory; a memory that will be reinforced everytime they sit for hours on end in the WMC ER waiting room or sit stuck in traffic on I-65 with an elderly parent at home."

The Ugly
"Son, they keep baiting you, and you just take it hook, line, and sinker... Remember, it is far better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt."

Actually, I couldn't say it better myself.

In the closing hours before the HSDA hearing (details of which you can download here, or click this link to watch it live from the comfort of home/work), I thought that it would be fun to post some of the more interesting bits from the CN0604-028 file. I'll try to be fair to both sides of the issue...


First up, a letter of Support from Senator Cooper, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee



"The debate over the proposed Spring Hill Hospital is similar to many "Turf Wars" I have encountered while serving as the Chairman of the Commerce Committee."

---

Next, a letter of Opposition from Spring Hill Family Health Group




"It simply is not ethical in my opinion to allow a FOR PROFIT hospital come into Maury Regional's backyard and possibly take away profitable business from a hospital organization that has been such a large supporter of the State in times of need..."

---

Next, a letter of Support from Craig Cole, Vice President of GBT Realty Corporation




"With all of the hard data, verifiable growth, existing infrastructure and other facts regarding the continued development of Spring Hill, there is no question that the city will have a concentrated population sufficent to sustain its own hospital without negatively impacting other regional hospitals. Spring Hill residents deserve to be given the opportunity to choose their own destiny. It is disappointing to see neighboring municipalities minimize the value of convenient helathcare for thousands of Spring Hill residents.

---

Next, a letter of Opposition from Darlene Baxter, Associate Administrator at MRH



"The need for outpatient services can certainly be addressed by the various health care providers that are currently providing services in Spring Hill. These providers simply need to expand their services as the population grows."

---

Next, letters of Support from our Maury County Commissioners, Jerry Erwin and Cindy Williams



Oops, those are not letters of support for the proposed Spring Hill Hospital! My mistake!

---

And finally, a letter of Support from Dr. John Simmons



"The alleged impact on Maury Regional Hospital has been overstated as most of MRH's business comes from southern Maury County and areas East, South and West of Columbia. The recent expansion and proposed future expansion of Williamson Medical Center has primarily been a catch up addition since little was done for years there while its own population was growing rapidly. The growth of Spring Hill was a very small factor in determining the need for expansion of that facility."

If only Dr. Simmons were a board member of the HSDA...

Click Here to Read The Full Post...

Summary only...