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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2002
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Community Health Systems to Purchase Methodist Hospital |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Methodist Healthcare-McKenzie Hospital is one of seven
Methodist hospitals that is being purchased by Community
Health Systems, which owns or operates 61 hospitals in 21
states. CHS is a leading operator of general acute care
hospitals in no-urban communities throughout the country.
The Brentwood-based corporation announced it has entered
into exclusive negotiations with Methodist to purchase the
hospitals and related services pending approval of
regulatory agencies. The purchase price was not disclosed
but Methodist CEO Gary Shorb said that seven bids were
solicited from for-profit hospital companies. Five of
those submitted proposals. Four of the five were
Tri-Point, Essense, Community Health Systems and
Providence.
The proposed sale includes McKenzie, Martin, Lexington,
Brownsville, Dyersburg, Jackson, and Selmer hospitals as
well as other West Tennessee operations including home
health, durable medical equipment, employed physician
groups, clinics and various ambulatory centers. CHS has
agreed to hire all employees currently associated with the
seven hospitals. The sale does not include the facilities
in Memphis or Somerville, which will remain a part of
Methodist Healthcare. The pediatric services offered by
LeBoneur are also not part of the transfer.
In a statement by Shorb, Methodist CEO, "The
recommendation to sell our rural West Tennessee hospitals
was made after a lot of careful thought and review. In the
long run, we believe Methodist can do more for the
improvement of healthcare in West Tennessee and Memphis by
taking a two-pronged approach, which is:
- Strengthen the West Tennessee hospitals by getting a
non-urban hospital organization that can focus on
running them and can make investments to improve these
facilities.
- Capitalize on Methodist's expertise in running urban
and suburban hospitals, concentrate on the training of
future physicians and clinicians to serve Memphis and
West Tennessee communities and support a University
research agenda that will improve care for everyone.
Our regional hospitals have been part of the Methodist
network since the 1980s, and during that time, we have
built a long, rich history together. That's what makes
this such a difficult decision. But as we looked at our
options, we kept one thought in mind: we want our West
Tennessee hospitals to be as successful as they can be,
and we want the same for Memphis.
As we considered potential new owners for the West
Tennessee hospitals, we looked for a company with
financial stability and a mission and values compatible
with Methodist Healthcare. We also looked for a company
with a demonstrated commitment to strong community-based
boards, high levels of physician involvement and a
commitment to continue the chaplaincy programs. With
Community Health Systems, we have found a company that
meets those criteria."
William S. Hussey, Group VP for Community Health Systems
said the new owners will continue Methodist's contracts
with health care providers and insurers at least through
the current contract period. The medical referral system
with Methodist-Memphis will also remain intact.
"We look forward to working with Community Health
Systems," said Robert "Scooter" Miller, Administrator of
Methodist Healthcare-McKenzie Hospital. "Everything will
operate as normal and remain status quo with patient care
and physician & provider satisfaction being our
priorities," said Miller. The associates of the local
hospital have been "positive", said Miller of the proposed
change in ownership. CHS has made a commitment to not
close any of the Methodist facilities for 10 years unless
a major change occurs in the healthcare market during that
time.
Hussey said CHS will be conducting due diligence for the
next few months to determine the assets of the facilities
and the credentials of those who work with the hospitals.
"We feel an immense obligation to support the community,"
said Hussey, who added the for-profit corporation pays
property and other taxes and expects local hospital CEOs
and staff members to be involved in the community. As for
the staffs at the hospital, Hussey said the folks he met
at the local hospitals are the "A Team." He also
complimented each of the local boards of directors at each
of the hospitals and added that the hospitals will be
managed locally with all the necessary resources from
Brentwood to make them successful. "We have been so
impressed with the physical plants and the enthusiasm from
the people," said Hussey.
"We look forward to adding to and enhancing the health
care services available to the residents of these
communities and to working with the dedicated medical
staffs, employees and local leadership," said Wayne T.
Smith, Chairman, president and CEO of Community Health
Systems, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare-McKenzie Hospital was purchased by
Methodist in 1982 from the City of McKenzie. The local
facility operates and offers a home health care, emergency
room, wellness center, emergency ambulance service, CT
scans, general surgery, Holter monitoring, nuclear
medicine, obstetrics, midwife services, optometry,
physical therapy, ultrasound and echo cardiology,
radiology, sports medicine, laparoscopic surgery, plus a
host of other medical services. In 2001, the hospital had
1,188 inpatient discharges, 373 newborn discharges, 11,713
outpatient visits, 6,160 emergency room visits, and 95
full-time associates. It is licensed for 65 acute care
beds.
McKenzie hospital is the site of one of only two Physician
Assistant (PA) training programs in the State of
Tennessee. Methodist-McKenzie offers the campus for Bethel
College's PA program. Trevecca College in Nashville offers
the only other PA program in Tennessee.
Coming soon to the McKenzie hospital campus is a Licensed
Practical Nurse (LPN) program in cooperation with the
adjacent Tennessee Technology Center. Courses are to begin
in early 2003.
The McKenzie campus is also the site of training classes
for the certified First Responder course for both
Methodist-McKenzie and Baptist Memorial
Hospital-Huntingdon. |
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College Drive Paving to Commence in McKenzie |
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The McKenzie City Council on September 26 approved the low
bid of $261,455 by Tennessee Asphalt for the College Drive
Paving Project. According to City Clerk Dana Deem,
construction should get underway as soon as possible
following a pre-construction conference scheduled for
Tuesday, October 1. "We'll get started as soon as the
weather will let us," he said, "Tennessee Asphalt is going
to try to do it before the weather hits them this fall."
The Council also approved the bid of J.R. Hayes
Construction Company for the Highway 22 Median Opening
Project. J. R. Hayes was the sole bidder on the project
with a proposal of $82,803.
In the next step of a controversial annexation proposal
submitted to the Council in the previous session by the
Planning Commission, council members considered and
approved a resolution adopting a plan of services for the
property as outlined by the Commission. Planning
Commission member Wade Allen, who is also a member of the
City Council, advised the plan of services presented was
the result of the Council's request for the plan following
the September 12 City Council meeting.
Council member Darra Adkins clarified that the plan of
services was related to the annexation issue only and not
to the issue of rezoning.
The meeting was attended by citizens opposed to the
measure though no discussion was solicited or offered. The
Council also moved to set a date for a public hearing and
for the preparation of an ordinance of annexation to be
considered on the same date.
In other matters, the Council:
- Approved on second reading Ordinance No. 381, an
ordinance to allow the use and sale of fireworks within
the city limits on a date-restricted basis;
- Awarded the contract for tennis courts repairs to
Competition Athletic Surfaces in the amount of $9, 875.
- Heard Police Chief Harry Cooper report the caution
lights for the school zone on Stonewall Street are fully
functioning with signs up and lights working. He
expressed appreciation for the work of School Safety
Officer Jackie Sykes and Assistant Chief Bobby Pate in
contributing in the installation of the system
- Heard Parks and Recreation Director Ricky French
state Competition Athletic Surfaces will begin work on
the tennis courts no later than October 21.
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Trezevant Approves Budget Without Tax Hike |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Trezevant City Council held the line on budgetary expenses
and prevented a tax increase during their September 26
meeting. The tax rate of 69 cents per $100 assessed value
has remained in effect for more than a decade. The revenue
for all departments for FY2002-2003 is $492,995 with total
estimated expenses of $480,335 leaving an estimated
balance of $12,660 in "the black".
The sanitiation fund will actually lose money with the
city charging $7.00 monthly for residential pick up while
the contractor, Barker Brothers, charges $7.04 monthly for
each household per month.
Eliminated from the budget are uniforms for the street and
water departments as well as some expenses for maintenance
items -gas, grease and oil - from the general fund and the
telephone at the sewer lagoon. Only $2,000 was allotted
for street paving with that amount coming from state aid.
Councilman Joe Butler warned "we can't keep putting it
off," concerning the paving.
Mayor James Gilliam, who had missed the last two meetings
due to illness, presided over the meeting and questioned
each board member about the budget. He had prepared the
budget and sent each councilman a copy of the proposed
budget for their review prior to the meeting.
"It looks good to me if we can survive on this," said
Councilman Bobby Blaylock.
The city will continue to provide uniforms for the chief
and one part-time officer. The city has additionally
budgeted $1,500 for an animal control officer after
Councilman Jim Moore made the recommendation.
Tony Boyd of Henry spoke to the board about the current
major medical insurance provided the four city employees.
In the previous meeting, the board considered reducing the
coverage to three of the four city employees, leaving City
Recorder Rhonda Cunningham to find insurance elsewhere.
The board indicated Mrs. Cunningham is eligible for
coverage under her husband's work plan. Additionally, she
works fewer than 40 hours weekly. Boyd indicated that many
insurers will not write groups with fewer than 4 employees
and a lot of insurers are looking for 20 or more employees
before writing coverage. The agent said his company is a
broker for many insurance carriers and that he "shopped"
the city's plan before choosing the insurance carrier.
"It's not the Cadillac plan we had a few years ago," said
Boyd, who noted that many HMOs once covered almost every
condition for a small co-pay from the insured. HMO
coverage is being eliminated in Tennessee, said Boyd. The
board left all four city employees on the plan before
approving the budget. |
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Petition Circulating Against Prison |
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By David Fisher
Staff Reporter |
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During the September 16 meeting of
the Weakley County Commission, a group of citizens led
by Paul Adams of Gleason presented the commission with a
petition of 666 names, calling for a referendum to
decide whether or not a state prison should be located
in the county.
Adams, a former corrections officer, who was allowed to
address the commission, expressed his opinion that
bringing a prison to Weakley County would be a bad move.
He stated that a prison would bring undesirable elements
to the county, which will increase drug activity and
other crimes.
Another concerned citizen by the name of George Sawyers
said, "This is not a list of people for or against the
prison. This is just people wanting an opportunity to
vote on the issue this November."
However, it was noted by the commission that because the
election deadline has already passed, it would take an
amendment to the county's private act to allow for a
referendum to be placed on the ballot. Unfortunately,
this change would have to go through the state
legislature, which meets in January.
According to state guidelines, approval of a state
prison must be made by either a referendum or a
two-thirds majority of the county commission.
Commissioners approved a resolution urging the state of
Tennessee to locate a proposed state prison in the area
during their May 2002 meeting by a vote of 19 "for" and
1 "against." The lone dissenting vote was cast by then
Commissioner Wendell Verdell representing the Gleason
area, who said that he is not really opposed to the
prison, but promised his constituents that he would seek
to put the measure on a referendum so voters could
decide the issue for themselves.
The commission's affirmative vote in May came after
hearing a report from Joint Economic and Community
Development Board (JECDB) Executive Director Junior
Moore, who stated that it will be a state operated
prison, not a privately contracted facility as is
sometimes the case.
As stated in the resolution, Weakley County has lost
many jobs in the industrial sector in the last eight
years. The facility, with an annual operating budget of
roughly $22 million, would have a significant economic
impact on the county, generating approximately 440 jobs
for a total payroll of $10.8 million. It was also
pointed out in the document that the institution would
be involved in the community with minimum security
inmate work crews performing numerous jobs and projects
for state and local government and nonprofit agencies.
Certified copies of the resolution were sent to Gov. Don
Sunquist and the Commissioner of Corrections and urged
them to consider and support the construction and
operation of a prison in or near Weakley County.
A referendum was held in Carroll County on July 10,
2001, with a very poor turnout at the polls. From a
total of 17,799 registered voters, only 6,437 voiced on
opinion one way or the other. The vote was 4,023 "no"
votes and 2,414 "yes" votes. This amounts to only two
out of 24 precincts voting in favor of the measure at
that time; both of these were in McKenzie.
The state Corrections Oversight Committee voted two
weeks ago to defer action to build a prison in Weakley
County for at lease one more month.
The Tennessee Department of Corrections had hoped to get
the go-ahead last week from the state Building
Commission to purchase land for the proposed 2,316-bed
facility. But without the Oversight Committee's
recommendation, the action can't be approved by the
building commission.
The proposed $107 million Weakley County site is part of
Gov. Sundquist's 10-year, $282 million prison plan, that
would add 6,031 beds, allowing the state to accommodate
30,000 inmates by 2011.
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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