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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thank you David Budge. You beat me to a
number of the punches I intended to throw back on this one. Donovan Arnold had
a rough time in November. Many of his candidates lost and he is still dealing
with that. His answer is to stir the pot with his, as David stated, pathetic
whining.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I would add just a couple things:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<ol start=1 type=1>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>I wish Donovan could have been
at the strategic planning session I attended Wednesday afternoon. Gritman
invited many community members in to comment on how the hospital is doing in
fulfilling their mission. There were no Gritman employees in attendance.
The facilitator encouraged us to share the good and the bad. The close to
twenty people in my group had rave reviews for the hospital. There were
some problems/challenges discussed but we all acknowledged that some were
beyond the control of Gritman- or any hospital for that matter. Example-
dealing with HIPAA and how that complicates being user friendly to
patients and family members. It’s especially tough on clergy.</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>My business had the privilege
of providing support services to the University of Idaho student health
program for a number of years. Several years ago the University followed
national trends and made some major changes in their program. At that
point, they no longer needed my local services and I stepped aside.
However, I was privy to information that, if anything, we were on the end
of the curve wherein other colleges and universities had long ago made
insurance mandatory. I would ask Donovan to do a little research on this.
How many schools still have optional insurance for their students? As
David stated, this is a state policy. Additionally, if you hadn’t
noticed, health care delivery and cost is one of our greatest issues. Have
you not noticed the number of health insurance companies that have gone
bankrupt in recent years? I sell lot’s of health insurance and
encourage UI students to give serious consideration to the plan. When I
started with the program, approximately 500 students voluntarily purchased
it. When I finished up, we were at about 3000. A large group has
purchasing power not found when buying an individual policy. </span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>And finally, echoing
David’s comment- thank God we live in a county where it is O.K. to
make a profit. The last time I checked we have a few other for profit
entities in town- including C J’s.</span></font></li>
</ol>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>We are all very fortunate to have Gritman
Hospital in Moscow.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Jon Kimberling</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext'>-----Original
Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>David M. Budge<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, February 25, 2005
2:10 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Donovan Arnold<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> vision2020@moscow.com;
bjswan@moscow.com<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vision2020]
Gritman's Community Service</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><b><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>GOD, PLEASE MAKE THE VOICES
STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></font></b><br>
<br>
Holy mother of pearl! I feel like I've died and gone to Oliver Stone
conspiracy theory hell. Have some of you been raised under heavy power
transmission lines or grew up on a diet of lead based paint chips. <br>
I take what I can stands and I can't stands it no more. <br>
<br>
A) Accrording to the online U of I Student Health Insurance Program
brochure, the Idaho State Board of Education requires proof of health insurance
for ALL publicly funded institutions of higher education in the state.
This is not solely a U of I policy.<br>
<br>
B) The insurance program is underwritten and administered by the Mega Life and
Health Insurance Company of America. Ergo, the University makes not one
damn dime form the insurance program.<br>
<br>
C) The cost of the insurance is about 25% less than the cost of comparable
individual policies purchased through any other competitive program in the
state. Pretty good deal ask ANY insurance agent.<br>
<br>
D) The $11 million charged off for indigent care cannot be written off on their
taxes. They don't pay income taxes for cripes sake. They're a
not-for-profit entity!!!!<br>
<br>
E) Who, exactly should pay for indigent care? What is happening right now
is that everyone else is paying for those who can't through $20 bandaids.
In fact, the people who get screwed the most are those who either have not the
benefit of a collectively bargained health plan (like SHIP) or a government
program (like Medicaid and Medicare) but I'll get to that in a moment. Write
you strinkin' congressman!<br>
<br>
Now, as I say, I don't have a dog in this fight (although I was born there and
delivered by the legendary Dr. Wilson for all you townies who may care.)
The current health system in this country is a disaster, but that's little
fault of the hospitals. It's systemic. <br>
<br>
You want to get down on the heath care system, that's fair game. But I
see that some here have so little clue as to what in fact are the pressures on
hospitals that their arguments are vacuous hyperbole. <br>
<br>
About 80% of health care is used by 20% of the population. About 60% in
total dollars is used by the 13% receiving Medicare. Medicare payments
are highly regulated by the Heath Care Finance Authoritiy (HCFA) and are paid
under a system called Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG's) the sets maximums for
any payment that can be made for any service. This system has put
horrendous strains on the entire hospital system nationally and I'm sure that
Gritman is no exception. Hence, pricing needed to make up the deficiency
($20 bandaids) is a defacto subsidy by all other payers. Additionally,
under the Community Hopsital Charter Bill, no community hospital is able to
turn anyone away for care regardless of their ability to pay. This
doesn't even include the pricing pressure from Medicaid. (check out <a
href="http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0601patuncon.htm">http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0601patuncon.htm</a>
for some backgound on insruace and HMO's - libertarian rant.) <br>
<br>
I assume, but I don't know for sure, that Gritman makes its annual reports
available, in one form or another, to anyone who asks for it.
The accounting used is called Fund Balance Accounting where there is no equity
per say as there is no ownership. Anyone with a bone to pick with Gritman
should get that statement before casting ad hominem attacks based on groundless
assumptions and vacuous logic. My guess is, being familiar with such
things, that Gritaman has a minimal "free funds balance" and just
about all resources are earmarked for specific programs. If you're really
so full of piss and vinegar on the issue get involved, donate your time to the
hospital, and study the finacials, so no one has to subsidize you ignorance
with spilled ink.<br>
<br>
Lastly, is it so wrong that anyone makes a profit on anything? How
ridiculously obtuse is this proposition? We live in a market economy and,
although it sometimes lacks in fairness, it seems the best current model in the
egalitarian distribution of goods and services. (hint to Mr. Arnold -
you've got a University in Moscow - how 'bout econ 101.)<br>
<br>
You know what? Keep up the pressure and good people like B.J. Swanson
will eventually tell you to go piss off, sell Gritman to Health Corporation of
America and shut down all indigent services. Then pathetic whiners that
think everything in the country relative to commerce is out to get them will
have the opportunity to take their pathetic paranoia and pound sand. You should
be thanking him for doing otherwise thankless work. <br>
<br>
You may have an argument for socialized medicine (regardless of how wrong
heades it may be) but you're making assumptions here that are based on, from
what I can tell ...nothing.<br>
<br>
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Swanson and the entire Board of
Directors. I've been in similar postions and I know the sacrifice to
one's familyies and personal life it takes. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Dave (Mr. Screed) Budge <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Donovan Arnold wrote:</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>B.J. Swanson and visioneers, <br>
<br>
You write well. However, I don't think you are being honest with the community.
Let us shine some light on your points. <br>
<br>
"The Board of Directors are all volunteers from the community and receive
no pay."--BJ S. <br>
<br>
That is because they make their money off making decisions that result in
lining their own pockets. Let us take the case of a previous Board of Directors
Chair. He used his position at UI to require all UI students purchase
health insurance. This saved Gritman millions of dollars in having to pay the
indigent fund. After leaving as Chair of Board of Directors he now works one
day a week as the Director of Student Health, Benefits, and Welfare at UI for
$90,000 a year and he only works ONE day a week, Wednesday, and I don't think
he even shows up until after 9 AM. That is a cushy job. That is why he doesn't
need the token pay of the position. He made millions for UI and saved millions
for Gritman, at the expense of UI Students, many of which cannot afford the
crappy insurance, that costs more and cut out vision and dental. <br>
<br>
"Gritman is non-profit"-BJS <br>
<br>
Maybe not for the hospital and community but it sure is for some of the board
of directors and some others that work there. At $20 for a band-aid, money has
got to going some where because is not going to the nurses or the janitors. <br>
<br>
<br>
"Gritman is not a tax supported hospital." BJS <br>
<br>
If you believe that I got a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you.
Humm, as I seem to recall, the taxpayers donated an entire street to Gritman
and paid money to build on an entirely new wing to the hospital for private
doctors to make private profits. Not to mention providing all those utilities.
Now just because it doesn't show as a LINE ITEM on a bill doesn't mean we are
not paying for it. I think to suggest that the taxpayers are not spending
millions of their hard earned dollars on Gritman really is dishonest and akin
of the type of behavior and attitude that has been coming out of the Board of
Directors for the last few years. Taxpayers do support Gritman and you should
thank them for it rather than telling them they don't and insulting them. Its
operations are also supported by taxpayers because the hospital is tax exempt
and taxpayers have to pay higher property taxes as a result. <br>
<br>
" Last year, Gritman expensed over $11 million in charity care in this
community."--BJS <br>
<br>
Correction, Gritman wrote-off on their taxes $11 million in charity care to the
community. Let us not get carried away. And at $20 for a band aid, how much
care was that? How much did Gritman collect and save from not having to pay for
indigent care by forcing UI students to have expensive health insurance? How
much has Gritman made from other tax supported entities? How much of that
charity was paid as a mandate by local, state, and federal law? And where was
most of the money directed? The answers to those question began to paint a much
different picture. <br>
<br>
"Gritman will pay it's fair share of a BID assessment if it is
approved."BJS <br>
<br>
You mean Gritman won't break the law? Thanks for that agreement. <br>
<br>
<br>
"I challenge you to think of Moscow without Gritman and tell me if you
would be better off." BJS <br>
<br>
Oh please! Are you suggesting that Moscow Residents are to ignorant to figure
out how to staff a hospital if it were not for BJ Swanson and the Board of
Directors? That really is disturbing and insulting you people think that about
yourselves. If Gritman was not there, we would have a better hospital like we
did before it was taken over by a tax dodging and profiteering form of
management. We would not have people lining up to be on the board of directors
to make money off the position if it were not for Gritman. We would not have as
high of property taxes because the private doctors making private profits would
be paying taxing rather than being supported by them if it were not for
Gritman. And lastly, I would not be forced to buy inadequate health insurance
from UI at outrageous prices. The Board of Directors cost me an extra $500 a
year and my former quality health insurance I had before. I think people
in Moscow would have to filled with a great deal of incompetence not to be
better off with a different hospital. <br>
<br>
Finally, it ought to tell people in Moscow something when a former members of
the Board of Directors at Gritman would rather be helicoptered to Lewiston for
treatment rather than be treated at Gritman. Maybe they know something. <br>
<br>
I know that Gritman has good workers and bad workers, just like every place
else. However, I think it gets worse when you have greedy profit driven
management. Greed should never be allowed to rear its ugly head in a place that
is suppose to provide critical quality care. The Gritman Board of Directors,
over the last several years, has placed the welfare of the community second to
huge profits. <br>
<br>
Good Day, <br>
<br>
Donovan J Arnold <br>
Victim of Gritman <br>
<br>
"How do you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving" <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>From: "B. J.
Swanson" <a href="mailto:bjswan@moscow.com"><bjswan@moscow.com></a> <br>
To: <a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com"><vision2020@moscow.com></a> <br>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Gritman's Community Service <br>
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 20:12:29 -0800 <br>
<br>
<br>
Donovan & Visionaries, <br>
<br>
The cost of healthcare is certainly a concern for everyone. Instead of a <br>
Social Security crisis, the nation probably has a worse healthcare crisis. <br>
It's not just Moscow. <br>
<br>
You may think Gritman is a huge for-profit, corporate hospital, but it is <br>
not. Gritman is non-profit. It is owned by the community. The
Board of <br>
Directors are all volunteers from the community and receive no pay. We do
<br>
contract with Quorum Health Resources for management of Gritman. Jeff <br>
Martin is the only Quorum employee at Gritman. If you have ever looked at a <br>
Medicare Cost Report or one of the 300+ contracts Gritman maintains, you <br>
would clearly see that to stay in business and provide healthcare that the <br>
community expects, we contract with a company that specializes in hospital <br>
management. It's an extremely complicated and costly industry, but it
also <br>
saves lives. <br>
<br>
Gritman does way more than provide hot chocolate, coffee, etc. to the <br>
community. Last year, Gritman expensed over $11 million in charity care
in <br>
this community. We care for everyone regardless of their ability to pay. <br>
<br>
Gritman is also the largest private employer with nearly 400 employees. <br>
<br>
The direct healthcare areas of Gritman are tax exempt. Properties that
are <br>
leased or not directly related to healthcare are taxed. Gritman will pay <br>
it's fair share of a BID assessment if it is approved. <br>
<br>
You will find that many hospitals in Idaho started out like Gritman; owned <br>
and supported by the community. Most have gotten into trouble, sold <br>
themselves to for-profit companies or gave themselves to the Counties and <br>
became taxing districts. Pullman Regional Hospital is funded by a taxing <br>
district. The residents of Pullman are taxed to support their hospital. <br>
Gritman is not a tax supported hospital. You will find no line item on
your <br>
tax bill to support Gritman. It is tax exempt, but you do not pay taxes
to <br>
keep it running either. Most communities that now have tax supported <br>
hospitals would much prefer an arrangement like Gritman. <br>
<br>
I challenge you to think of Moscow without Gritman and tell me if you would <br>
be better off. <br>
<br>
B. J. Swanson <br>
Chairman of the Board <br>
Gritman Medical Center <br>
<br>
---------------------------------- <br>
<br>
<br>
------ Forwarded Message <br>
From: "Donovan Arnold" <a href="mailto:donovanarnold@hotmail.com"><donovanarnold@hotmail.com></a>
<br>
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 18:46:57 -0800 <br>
To: <a href="mailto:edc@moscow.com">edc@moscow.com</a>, <a
href="mailto:CJs@Turbonet.com">CJs@Turbonet.com</a>, <a
href="mailto:editor@lataheagle.com">editor@lataheagle.com</a>, <br>
<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a> <br>
Subject: [Vision2020] Gritman's Community Service <br>
<br>
<br>
"Gritman provided hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies for
participants of <br>
the <br>
Holiday Parade. Gritman also provides hot dogs and drinks for the <br>
Homecoming Parade." <br>
<br>
Don't forget the lolly pop and a free sticker if you don't cry during a <br>
hysterectomy. <br>
<br>
Really though, it is so nice for UI students to pay an extra $500 a semester <br>
in addition to other fees so they can get free coffee and cookies at <br>
downtown events. What a deal! And we wonder why students are leaving UI by <br>
the hundreds. The logic just doesn't follow :P <br>
<br>
Donovan J Arnold <br>
<br>
<br>
--------------------------------- <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
>From: Barbara Richardson Crouch <a href="mailto:edc@moscow.com"><edc@moscow.com></a>
<br>
>To: <a href="mailto:CJs@Turbonet.com"><CJs@Turbonet.com></a>, <a
href="mailto:editor@lataheagle.com"><editor@lataheagle.com></a>, <a
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a> <br>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] NSA <br>
>Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 18:55:11 GMT <br>
> <br>
>Phil, <br>
> <br>
>Gritman is a not-for-profit corporation. The hospital is controlled
and <br>
>operated by a board of directors comprised of community members.
Gritman <br>
>provides millions of dollars per year in unreimbursed care to our local <br>
>residents. <br>
> <br>
>Gritman provides various services and supports downtown events.
Gritman <br>
>provided hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies for participants of the <br>
>Holiday Parade. Gritman also provides hot dogs and drinks for the <br>
>Homecoming Parade. Plus Gritman supports finacially many, many events
<br>
>throughout the community. <br>
> <br>
>Barbara Crouch <br>
> <br>
>--------------------------------- <br>
> <br>
> > Kai - If NSA and Grittman (since Grittman is FOR PROFIT)
were paying <br>
> > property taxes there would not need to be a BID. <br>
> > <br>
> > Phil <br>
> > <br>
> > -------Original Message------- <br>
> > <br>
> > From: Kai Eiselein <br>
> > Date: 02/24/05 09:06:41 <br>
> > To: <a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a> <br>
> > Subject: [Vision2020] NSA <br>
> > <br>
> > Rose, you may want to take a closer look at the BID. I am rather <br>
>ambivile> nt <br>
> > about it, but I did write an article in the December 9 issue of the <br>
>Latah> <br>
> > Eagle about the process. <br>
> > According to the documents I have, a tax exempt entity is not exempt <br>
>from> <br>
> > the a BID levy. That would include New St. Andrews College and
Gritman <br>
>to> <br>
> > name a couple. The BID in Twin Falls includes the administrative
office <br>
>o> f <br>
> > the school district, as I recall, and they are subject to the BID
levy <br>
>as> <br>
> > well. <br>
> > <br>
> > <br>
> > Kai T. Eiselein <br>
> > Editor <br>
> > Latah Eagle <br>
> > 521 S. Jackson St. <br>
> > Moscow, ID 83843 <br>
> > (208) 882-0666 Fax (208) 882-0130 <br>
> > <a href="mailto:editor@lataheagle.com">editor@lataheagle.com</a> <br>
> > <br>
<br>
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