3/21/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

M M Mr. Aldrich pointed out that the Board of Trustees has missed the fact that for the last 3-5 years the hospital has been taking extra profits. He calculated that the hospital's break even point is a little under $800 a day and under the concept of cost shifting,_ there would not be a cost shift as long as the number is at least $800. He suggested that there are other ways that the hospital could reduce costs. Rev. Lord asked for copies of the chart because it was hard to see up on the screen, and Mr. Aldrich made copies available. Bill Koolage, resident of Vista Gardens and former member of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital District, felt that from an organization concept the formation of these two boards defeats anything you might do under good management principles. He was disappointed that the Board of Trustees have not shown much sympathy with what has been presented today. He recalled that when the liaison committee began, he gave up on it because the chairman of that committee was the president of the hospital. Mr. Koolage also recalled that the hospital took over the state levy because the hospital people said that was all part of indigent care. Mr. Koolage stressed that all management principles tell you that the way it is set up at present is wrong and that the years have proven that to be true. Al Valardi, resident of Sebastian, stated that he represents members of Citizens Aware who feel that the price being paid for indigent care is outrageous. Mr. Valardi wanted to know the definition of a nonprofit organization, and asked if it is a private organization that can spend money any way it wants to. He felt people have a misconception of a nonprofit organization and are concerned about the way the hospital has been spending its profits. Trustee Joyce Smith advised that she made a proposal at last month's meeting that the Board of Trustees take all the tax away from the citizens of the Hospital Taxing. District and bring those two boards together into one board. If that was done, we would not have to change very much. We wouldn't even have to change the special act and the citizens of this county would own a purely not for profit hospital. She felt the hospital could do that. Mrs. Smith's comments were followed by applause. Trustee Beverly O'Neil understood that people are saying that the cost of indigent care could be spread across the citizens of �+ MARCH 21, 1996 13 BOOK 7 PAGE 5' I