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IRMH is an expensive hospital, but it is not rated very highly in <br />comparison to other hospitals in the state. <br />Tom Buchanan, a resident of the Moorings, questioned why 3 <br />members of the Board of Directors of IRMH, Inc. are elected by 3000 _ <br />members of the Hospital Foundation who only have to contribute over <br />$5 a year to vote. Mr. Buchanan stated that he resented Margaret <br />Ingram's statement that she resented getting flack from the public. <br />This is the first time he could remember the Hospital District <br />Board of Trustees meeting with the public like this. <br />Mrs. Ingram felt that Mr. Buchanan must have misunderstood her <br />statement about the public being confused about which board is the <br />trustee board. She appreciated this opportunity to clear the air. <br />Mr. Buchanan emphasized that he supports a two -term limit for <br />trustees. <br />Sam Alia, resident of Vista Royale and a county resident for <br />18 years, believed that the public is concerned about the profit <br />that is being made by the hospital. They know that the hospital is <br />paid 60% from Medicare, but they are told by our legislators that <br />Medicare is going broke. <br />Mr. Montuoro explained that Medicare and Medicaid monies and <br />policies are a national problem, not a local problem. <br />Mr. Alia felt we could change that by starting in our own <br />backyard by being fair at our local hospital. If it is classified <br />as a nonprofit hospital, then it should be a nonprofit hospital. <br />If the hospital is making a profit, they should pay more for <br />indigent care. If the taxpayers are paying for indigent care, <br />there should not be excessive bonuses and salaries. He wondered if <br />there should be a another meeting with the IRMH, Inc. Board of <br />Directors to address these concerns. <br />Mr. Montuoro responded with "no." He advised that the <br />Hospital District Board of Trustees meets every month and the <br />public is welcome to attend and tell them what they think. In <br />fact, there is a meeting this evening at 5:15 p.m. at the hospital. <br />The next meeting of the Board of Directors of IRMH,. Inc. is next <br />Wednesday, March 27, 1996, at 4:30 p.m. in the 1st Floor Board Room <br />at the hospital. <br />Mr. Alia also raised the issue of the hospital's low ratings <br />in a report that came out recently, but Attorney Polackwich <br />explained that report was based only on billing. It didn't get <br />into the quality of care, and people shouldn't interpret it that <br />way. <br />FOOK 9 7 PAf,'F D <br />9 <br />MARCH 21, 1996 <br />