St. John Medical Center representatives presented a proposal to state officials Wednesday to take over operation of the OSU Medical Center and maintain its residency program.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081120_16_A1_Sherri328606 (//%22http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081120_16_A1_Sherri328606%22)
Woohoo!!
As I see it, they need three major things:
goverment funding for indigent care (being fought for)
philanthropic giving to help get things caught up (some committed)
hospital administrator (now St Johns)
It says there were some conditions with the St John's agreement, hopefully it includes a request for state/federal funds like is needed.
Will DOs that did not have training at an ABMS recognized program be allowed to work there? just kidding
the devil is in the details... let's see how fast/if the state will move on this...
but don't hold your breath, i saw some graffiti in the bathroom at the elephant run that claims the nashville boys are pissed and have different plans for the building... ardent is moving towards a RAPID close- shutting the doors on dec. 31... they are looking to clean up their books before '09... they have a track record and have pulled out of units in under 2 weeks...
combined with saint francis not being willing to give up on the osu residents moving... this all appears to be rearranging the deck chairs...
get ready...
doh...
The resolution proposed would allow St. John to take control of it. This email was sent out and again forwarded to me:
quote:
Thank you to all the students who showed their support and signed the white coats yesterday. The coats seemed to go over very well, and they looked great! The city council is voting on a resolution tonight to place OSUMC in a city trust. The meeting is tonight at 6 PM at 200 Civic Center, plaza level, in the council room. Once the hospital is in a trust, St. John's or another entity can come in to manage it and keep it open. This is an important step in keeping all of the residencies safe. Please show your support by attending this meeting wearing your white coats. Attached is the resolution for your perusal. There will be an attending, resident, and student speaking on our behalf. We'll be meeting in the north lobby of the hospital and walking or carpooling over there at 5:40 PM. Please, Please, Please come if you can!
Amber Williams, D.O.
Emergency Medicine PGY2
The resolution as proposed:
(Published in the Tulsa Daily Commerce
& Legal News,
____________________________, 2008.)
RESOLUTION NO. _______________
A RESOLUTION ADVOCATING STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL ACTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATIONS OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS TO PROVIDE THE CITY OF TULSA THE OPTION OF CREATING A PUBLIC TRUST TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND CARE OF THE CENTER; REQUESTING ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER OPEN AS A MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRAINING FACILITY FOR THE BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, it is one of the most basic and fundamental duties of government to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens. Our great nation was founded, at least in part, due to the failure of the previous form of government to provide for its citizens.
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Legislature appropriates approximately $41,850,000 every year for University Medical Center located in Oklahoma City to provide critical medical care for the indigent;
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Legislature does not appropriate any annual funds to provide for indigent medical care in the city of Tulsa, or anywhere in northeast Oklahoma;
WHEREAS, indigent health care in northeast Oklahoma has been borne, in the largest part, by private hospitals and medical care facilities located in our communities;
WHEREAS, the disparate impact is broadened when the allocations of federal grants, residency programs ..... and other valuable programs aimed at providing health care to low income or indigent families is considered;
WHEREAS, Oklahoma State University Medical Center (OSUMC) has been serving Tulsa and all of Northeast Oklahoma with high quality medical care and graduate medical education for many decades;
2
WHEREAS, hundreds of physicians were trained at OSUMC, and practice and serve citizens throughout Oklahoma;
WHEREAS, OSUMC is accredited for one hundred and forty (140) resident medical students. Those residents serve a crucial function in indigent healthcare for northeast Oklahoma, and many will be lost if OSUMC is closed down;
WHEREAS, OSUMC has a long history of providing excellent care for the medically indigent of Tulsa and all of Northeast Oklahoma;
WHEREAS, it has become clear that a hospital serving the clientele, providing the services, and facilities which OSUMC now provides is not financially viable without public assistance. Such assistance can take many forms and may include being owned by a public trust, public financial assistance, and continued service by medical students, interns, residents and faculty;
WHEREAS, officials and medical budget specialists from area hospitals and from multiple states have reviewed OSUMC's financial situation and agree on a solution. The solution is well defined, would only cost funds previously appropriated or allocated for necessary capital improvements but never provided to OSUMC, plus twelve million dollars ($12,000,000.00) a year, (twenty eight million dollars ($28,000,000.00) a year less than what the state pays University Medical Center annually). Everyone knowledgeable of the situation agrees such a solution would not be a "black hole", but the most cost efficient and effective solution which will benefit all citizens in Oklahoma;
WHEREAS, the failure of OSUMC will create a hardship for thousands of Tulsa's and northeast Oklahoma's less fortunate citizens, and create an impossible situation for Tulsa's remaining acute care hospitals; and
WHEREAS, the failure of OSUMC is imminent, but can be prevented by prompt decisive action by the State of Oklahoma and the City of Tulsa.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF TULSA:
Section 1. The City Attorney is directed to take the necessary actions to provide the City of Tulsa the option of creating a public trust organized under title 60 of the laws of the state of Oklahoma capable of owning the Oklahoma State University Medical Center with all deliberate speed.
Section 2. The City of Tulsa calls upon the State to provide financial assistance to Oklahoma State University Medical Center sufficient to assure the facilities are brought up to current standards, maintained in that condition and allowed to operate for ten years.
3
Section 3. The City of Tulsa requests the Oklahoma State University College of Medicine continue to provide for the same or an increased level of Graduate Medical Education traditionally provided at the Oklahoma State University Medical Center.
Section 4. The City of Tulsa invites all elected officials of northeastern Oklahoma to join with Tulsa to protect the health and welfare of our citizens by calling upon the Legislature and Governor of this great state to provide not separate, but equal access to medical care for all of its citizens.
Section 5. That an emergency is hereby declared to exist for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, by reason whereof this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and approval.
ADOPTED by the Council: _______________________________.
Date
___________________________________
Chairman of the Council
ADOPTED as an emergency measure __________________________________.
Date
______________________________________
Chairman of the Council
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Received by the Mayor: ___________________________, at_______________.
Date Time
Kathy Taylor, Mayor
By: ________________________________
Secretary
4
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma: ________________,
Date at ____________.
Time
______________________________
Mayor
(Seal)
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
APPROVED:
_____________________________
City Attorney
so let's say the city council votes it into a trust but the state wont fund it... then what?
I work at St. John. I worry about my future at my hospital when we take on another hospital's burden. I worry that it may take us down with it.
quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin
I work at St. John. I worry about my future at my hospital when we take on another hospital's burden. I worry that it may take us down with it.
You should be more worried about what will happen if OSUMC closes down and its 40,000 ER visits per year end up having to go to St. John and Hillcrest instead.
quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin
I work at St. John. I worry about my future at my hospital when we take on another hospital's burden. I worry that it may take us down with it.
St John's will not take on the burden if OSUMC stays open, only if it closes. St John's is only contracting to operate the hospital (billing, administration, etc. They won't own it)
quote:
Originally posted by wavoka
quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin
I work at St. John. I worry about my future at my hospital when we take on another hospital's burden. I worry that it may take us down with it.
You should be more worried about what will happen if OSUMC closes down and its 40,000 ER visits per year end up having to go to St. John and Hillcrest instead.
Trust me, there was a time when we were at full capacity and all the beds were taken up. They went to other hospitals. There are two floors that aren't even open at SJMC...similar can be said about other hospitals. And it's not because those floors are inadequate either. And you can cut that 40,000 in half. Not everyone that comes to the ER will end up being admitted such as the worry wort patients who think they were having a heart attack when all it was was acid reflux.
There are more hospitals around the area who can handle the ER load. What has not been mentioned is that other smaller area hospitals who are well staffed, for instance St John's Owasso, has seen days when there was only ONE patient in the ENTIRE hospital when they can handle nearly a hundred at a time.
And sgrizzle, thank you for clarifying that. Ultimately, I was simply worried for the future of my hospital that I love and would be deeply saddened had it closed because of another hospital's burden. I'm all for OSUMC staying open. They handle the largest load of indigent care and without it, we would definitely have a major crisis.
Ambulances tend to go to the 5 major hospitals because those can handle almost every situation. I don't know that St John's Owasso is as rady as say, St John's Tulsa. Also, ambulances don't want to phone around and check to see which red lobster has immediate seating.
While the whole ER system needs an overhaul (so indigent patients quit using the ER as their PCP) closing this facility would be a long-jump in the wrong direction.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin
I work at St. John. I worry about my future at my hospital when we take on another hospital's burden. I worry that it may take us down with it.
St John's will not take on the burden if OSUMC stays open, only if it closes. St John's is only contracting to operate the hospital (billing, administration, etc. They won't own it)
This isn't going to end well for anybody unless the state steps up and takes on some of the burden of indigent care. Especially at a time when more people with homes are finding it difficult or impossible to pay their bills and insurance companies are playing hardball with the contracted rates for their insureds.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3049068815_98061b25d4.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/3049067971_c0f95b5616.jpg)
Rock On!
Sorry couldnt resist lightening it a bit. lol
(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6553/304906881598061b25d4ov2.jpg)
News On 6
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- There is word of a deal involving the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa. Governor Henry and legislative leaders announced within the last hour that they have reached a tentative agreement with Tulsa stakeholders on a plan that would preserve the Oklahoma State University medical program and save the OSU Medical Center.
The governor, House Speaker Chris Benge, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, and Treasurer Scott Meacham met with various stakeholders at the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to hammer out an agreement.
Details of the plan are not yet being made public.
======================================
I know you all have not heard from me for awhile, but it has been stressfull at OSUMC.
This latest news is good though.
i'm glad this will be put to rest...
it was down to the wire, ardent was going to pull out completely by dec. 31 if they did not have a solution before dec. 1... they'd talked about telling the employees after the 25th, merry christmas...
It may not be put to rest completely yet don't have the details as yet.
There was rumor that Ardent had other plans for the facility. What were those plans?
I wonder.
Mental health care. Long term acute care? Sell it off?
I have noticed throughout this whole thing, that there were still improvements being made to the building. Most noticeable was the carpeting of the airwalk between the parking garage and the buildings second floor. I wondered at that time if that was done for presentation to potential purchasers?
Also, half of the 6th floor was remodeled but never opened. So it is brand new.
Oh well, we're safe for now. I had already shut Christmas down at my house. Maybe now we can relax, but it still feels kinda shaky.
Plan would save hospital
RESCUE PLAN
Gov. Brad Henry: He said his meeting with key players Tuesday resulted in the proposal "to keep the doors of the OSU Medical Center open."
By TOM LINDLEY AND KIM ARCHER World Staff Writers
11/26/2008
Last Modified: 11/26/2008 3:14 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials tentatively agree on a proposal to rescue OSU Medical Center, but few details are discussed.
OKLAHOMA CITY — State, OSU and Tulsa officials tentatively agreed on a rescue plan Tuesday that will keep the OSU Medical Center open and OSU's medical residency program in place.
A statement from Gov. Brad Henry at the end of the day was positive in tone but short on specifics.
"Essentially, this proposal will save the OSU medical program, keep the doors of the OSU Medical Center open and address both the short- and long-term health care challenges in the Tulsa area," he said.
Henry said those involved in the negotiations had agreed not to discuss the plan's details until final approval had been obtained from the governing boards they represent.
Facing a Dec. 6 deadline to work out an agreement, the negotiations picked up steam last week when St. John Medical Center presented a plan to operate the OSU hospital and its residency program.
Tuesday's meeting was attended by Henry, House Speaker Chris Benge, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, State Treasurer Scott Meacham and representatives from St. John and Ardent Health Services, which owns OSU Medical Center and Hillcrest Hospital.
Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, said he understood "that St. John will be serving as the operator of the OSU Medical Center."
Another important hurdle was cleared when Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor said she told state leaders that the city of Tulsa would be willing to take title to the hospital and fund it through a public trust.
State officials have balked at taking ownership of the financially struggling hospital.
"We know it's vital to the actual health and economic viability of the city," Taylor said.
She said the city is prepared to work with state and county leaders to transfer ownership to a public trust, possibly a dormant trust created in 2003 called the Tulsa County Community Hospital Authority.
That trust could be amended to include the city and county, she said.
Under such an arrangement, the hospital would be exempt from sales taxes, and the city would contribute an estimated $3 million to $5 million annually.
Taylor said the city would not be harmed financially by the deal.
"The cost of the facility shutting down would have been much greater," she said, noting the additional burden on other Tulsa hospitals and the reduced access to care for all area residents.
In return, the state is expected to offer an annual operating subsidy that declines over time and will honor a previous pledge to make $30 million to $50 million in capital improvements at the hospital.
Regarding the need for possible legislative action, Benge said: "We can't fund any dollars if we are not in session. But once we get in session, we'll move as quickly as possible."
He said Tuesday's agreement would provide the stability that OSU needs and avoid the scenario of displaced patients flooding other Tulsa hospitals' emergency rooms.
"The OSU Medical Center will stay open and provide indigent care for the poor and house the residency program," Benge said.
Lex Anderson, St. John's chief financial officer, said last week that his group stepped up with a proposal to operate the hospital because of concerns that there would be a crisis of access if the hospital closed.
Henry praised OSU President Burns Hargis and Ken Levit of the Kaiser Family Foundation for their commitment to the agreement. The foundation has agreed to invest up to $20 million over five years on a solution that addresses indigent health-care needs in Tulsa.
Coffee called the agreement a positive step for Tulsa that also would benefit rural and central Oklahoma.
Final approval of the agreement should come before the Dec. 6 deadline, Meacham said.
The national accreditation body for osteopathic schools has given the state until then to make a proposal that ensures the stability of the residency program.
Facing an uncertain future, OSU could still shift its residency program to St. Francis Medical Center after June 30.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Capitol Bureau reporter Mick Hinton contributed to this story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Lindley (405) 528-2465, Kim Archer 581-8315
tom.lindley@tulsaworld.com, kim.archer@tulsaworld.com
By TOM LINDLEY AND KIM ARCHER World Staff Writers
Reader Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 readers have commented on this story so far.
Comment
jonette, TULSA (11/26/2008 3:34:59 AM)
We LOVE IT!!!
More progress than ever before. I also like that capital improvements are included. All the other hospitals in Tulsa get improvements all the time.
I know OSU MC has been operating negatively for a long time. But is anyone aware that TRMC made money for years and all of it was diverted to Hillcrest for capital improvements. A lot of the construction done at Hillcrest was paid for with money profited at TRMC. When Hillcrest took ownership of TRMC all the money it was making got diverted and all improvements at TRMC ceased. The services that TRMC was actually making money on got shut down and all moved to Hilcrest. Then there was no money making activities on the premises.
Hopefully we can get back to making improvements and moving forward.
So for the Tulsa area to have a public hospital and to save OSU's medical school the city of Tulsa has to own and partially fund the hospital.
That certainly doesn't sound like the arrangement in Oklahoma City, now does it?
I'm glad the facility looks to be saved, but the government of the state of Oklahoma sucks. $60 million for an NBA team in Oklahoma City but if Tulsa needs a public health care facility the city has to take on that burden.
What exactly are the citizens of this part of the state getting in return for taxes paid? Certainly not health care, or roads.
I do not believe OKC got $60mil in state funds for the NBA team, but they did receive some money for "job creation." Perhaps we could play the same card on the hospital? Sad as it may be to have to do that or even compare the two.
And yes, OKC gets multiple public hospitals funded by the state. Tulsa gets funding for a lesser (no offense OSU-MC, but OU Hospital gets all the best equipment etc.) facility and we must partially fund it.
Sounds about right.
$60 million is actually very conservative.
The state changed the quality jobs act to include the NBA team. The law was originally intended to help manufacturing and other industries that bring money into the state to create jobs. The NBA being a service/entertainment category was not eligible since the money spent on the NBA was already in the economy being spent on something else. So the law had to be changed.
The law stated that 5% of the taxable income of jobs created by the business will be rebated back to the business for ten years. Since the current highest tax rate in the state is 5.65% that means the state is receiving almost no income tax on the team.
Currently the NBA salary cap is $58.68 million and the teams annual total salary cost is $74 million. The cap is almost double where it was 10 years ago. The decade before that the cap almost quadrupled. If the cap only doubles the average cap for the next decade would be about $117 million. With no inflation in the salaries of the execs and the coaches and the people selling T-Shirts the taxable income of the team will likely average something more than $134 million a year over the next decade. 5% of that is $66,340,000 rebated back to the team. Now if the cap triples, the rebate would be in the range of $95 million or a cool $125,000,000 back if the cap quadruples like it did in the 80s and 90s. And even more if anyone else gets a raise.
But, as an added bonus, the state ADDED five years to the rebate. So increase the rebate if the cap only doubles over a decade to $81 million and if the cap quadruples the rebate for 15 years would be almost $170,000,000.
We got raped on this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Salary_Cap
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_/ai_n27515777
This sounds like a crappy deal. Once the 30-50 mill is paid out to fix up the hospital and the "operating subsidy declines over time". We will be right back where we are now financing wise.
Esentially, The people in and aound OKC pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for their area.... The people in and around Tulsa pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for our, I mean OKCs, teaching hospital and indigent care facility. So once this "deal" is done and the money paid out from the state, we will be right back to the same formula of US subsidizing the stuff in OKC AND paying additional amounts for the stuff here in Tulsa.
How is this fair?
How is this helping us out?
Why will we be paying state taxes for stuff in OKC, them not paying for that here, AND then if we want something in Tulsa, we have to pay again for it ourselves?
Where is the balance and equity?
I can only assume those numbers are on top of a change in disbursement of indigent care funds which is needed with or without OSUMC being saved.
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
This sounds like a crappy deal. Once the 30-50 mill is paid out to fix up the hospital and the "operating subsidy declines over time". We will be right back where we are now financing wise.
Esentially, The people in and aound OKC pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for their area.... The people in and around Tulsa pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for our, I mean OKCs, teaching hospital and indigent care facility. So once this "deal" is done and the money paid out from the state, we will be right back to the same formula of US subsidizing the stuff in OKC AND paying additional amounts for the stuff here in Tulsa.
How is this fair?
How is this helping us out?
Why will we be paying state taxes for stuff in OKC, them not paying for that here, AND then if we want something in Tulsa, we have to pay again for it ourselves?
Where is the balance and equity?
Short answer: We are represented by weenies.
Long answer: The entire Northeastern portion of the state is being bent over Ned Beatty style and made to squeal while the real pigs in OKC reap the benefits of our tax dollars because our state representatives are weenies.
quote:
Originally posted by wavoka
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
This sounds like a crappy deal. Once the 30-50 mill is paid out to fix up the hospital and the "operating subsidy declines over time". We will be right back where we are now financing wise.
Esentially, The people in and aound OKC pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for their area.... The people in and around Tulsa pay state taxes every year to support the teaching hospital and indigent care facility for our, I mean OKCs, teaching hospital and indigent care facility. So once this "deal" is done and the money paid out from the state, we will be right back to the same formula of US subsidizing the stuff in OKC AND paying additional amounts for the stuff here in Tulsa.
How is this fair?
How is this helping us out?
Why will we be paying state taxes for stuff in OKC, them not paying for that here, AND then if we want something in Tulsa, we have to pay again for it ourselves?
Where is the balance and equity?
Short answer: We are represented by weenies.
Long answer: The entire Northeastern portion of the state is being bent over Ned Beatty style and made to squeal while the real pigs in OKC reap the benefits of our tax dollars because our state representatives are weenies.
word.
The city of faith hospital contained all the faculties that we are crying about. It provided full training and care for all citizens. The good old boys for Tulsa's future declared we did not need any more rooms or teaching faculties so by maneuvering they were able to get it closed. Afterwards additional rooms began to be added to the existing hospitals. It is the same tune but the words are being changed as the Mayor has found a old abounded trust in the supposed dusty storage shelves which will enable the use of 5 million dollars of taxpayers money to keep OSUMC hospital in operation in Tulsa.
Seems some of the law students would explain how a dormant trust can be awaken and be used for another purpose other than the one it was formed for.
Another waterbill fee?
quote:
Originally posted by shadows
The city of faith hospital contained all the faculties that we are crying about. It provided full training and care for all citizens. The good old boys for Tulsa's future declared we did not need any more rooms or teaching faculties so by maneuvering they were able to get it closed.
Oh, please! Are you trying to convince me that politics are the reason that CityPlex Towers are no longer a hospital? Because I'm pretty sure that a $25 million debt and the closing of the hospital by Robert's himself.
That's the stupidest thing that I've heard come from your posts...
Here is some reading for you:
How City of Faith led to Fall - The Oklahoman (//%22http://newsok.com/article/3176022/1196605044%22)
quote:
Originally posted by wavoka
Long answer: The entire Northeastern portion of the state is being bent over Ned Beatty style and made to squeal while the real pigs in OKC reap the benefits of our tax dollars because our state representatives are weenies.
And in my perfect world Green Country would be it's own state to avoid this. One can dream
Tentative agreement reached on OSU Medical Center
By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Published: 12/5/2008 12:00 AM
Last Modified: 12/5/2008 5:43 PM
St. John Health System announced Friday it has agreed in principle to serve as the contracted management services provider to operate OSU Medical Center, the Tulsa World has learned.
Lex Anderson, St. John Health System chief financial officer, said it took the past week to ensure that state and local leaders all understood what St. John was agreeing to do.
"This is a very complex arrangement with a lot of different parties involved," he said.
Under the agreement, Tulsa County and the city of Tulsa will create a public trust to take title to the hospital and fund it. Ardent Health Services, which owns the hospital, has agreed to donate it to the public trust.
Anderson said state officials would release the financial details of the deal.
However, sources close to the issue indicated the state would provide $28 million in operation costs in the first year and $5 million each of the following four years. It would also provide $25 million in capital costs for facility improvements.
Gov. Brad Henry announced last week that a tentative agreement had been reached to keep OSU Medical Center open and the OSU medical residency program in place there.
Details weren't released then until all negotiating parties could get approval from their governing entities.
Said Anderson, "OSU deserves a lot of credit. This has not been easy."
By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
this done, for now.
in five years, we'll have the same problems but at least ardent is off the hook. we've now all taken this on as a burden, which is fine, except the state will continue to **** tulsa...
I know, I am having the same suspicions as you flipp. They keep talking about the first couple of years or so, and then what?
Kinda left up to chance, and yes, sounds like the state will continue to screw Tulsa at that point.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm time will tell.
It will also be interesting to see how they spend the facility improvement money also.
tick.tick.tick.....time will tell.Gonna be an interesting ride...............
[8D]
Accord reached for OSU hospital
The arrangement could serve as a model for delivering affordable health care, officials say.
By TOM LINDLEY World Capitol Bureau
Published: 12/6/2008 12:00 AM
Last Modified: 12/6/2008 2:33 AM
Tulsa and state officials finalized an agreement Friday they say will allow the OSU Medical Center to remain open, preserve its medical residency program and stave off an indigent health-care crisis.
"This initiative will help address the most significant health-care challenges in the Tulsa area," Gov. Brad Henry said in a statement.
Pending legislative action, the hospital could be transferred from Ardent Health Services' ownership to St. John Health System as early as March.
Although a tentative agreement was announced 10 days ago, Lex Anderson, St. John Health System chief financial officer, said it took the past week to ensure that state and local leaders all understood what St. John was agreeing to do.
Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said in a press release that he was grateful to state and local leaders who worked through an assortment of complex issues "to preserve the OSU residency program and this critical source of physicians for Oklahoma as well as to ensure the availability of indigent health care in Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma."
Negotiators called it a complex arrangement that could serve as a national model for delivering comprehensive and affordable health care.
"It's really innovative in that it addresses both short-term and long-term issues," State Treasurer Scott Meacham said.
One unique aspect of the plan involves enrolling as many as 20,000 eligible Tulsans in Insure Oklahoma, a state-operated insurance premium assistance program. The state said its share of the Tulsa enrollment effort could be as much as $50 million annually and that the plan would relieve the pressures of uncompensated care at OSU Medical Center and other Tulsa hospitals.
"If we are really going to address health care in the future, this type of arrangement is important," said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.
Benge and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, who led the state's negotiating team along with Meacham, also agreed to a front-loaded $48 million operating subsidy over five years to allow time for St. John to restore the hospital to profitability.
In the first year, the state will provide $28 million, including $20 million it previously dedicated to OSU for capital improvements at the hospital, $3 million that Ardent will return as its share of medical education funds and $5 million from the state's general revenue fund.
The state also agreed to contribute $5 million annually for operational expenses in the subsequent four years and another $2.5 million annually for four years to maximize the amount of revenue the state gets for federally qualified health centers.
Finally, the state also will allocate a $25 million bond issue to fund capital improvements at the hospital, using tobacco tax revenue dedicated to OSU to make payments on the bond.
In return, the Kaiser Family Foundation and St. John have agreed to provide $7 million a year for five years, much of it going to enhance the viability of the hospital through health-care vouchers and to help enroll more Tulsans in Insure Oklahoma.
"This will require the aggressive help of the Health Care Authority and the governor's office to make sure it works as smoothly as possible and becomes a national model," said Ken Levit, executive director of the Kaiser Foundation.
Meacham called the Insure Oklahoma component critical to solving Tulsa's longstanding indigent-care problem.
"We all believe the underlying problem is really the lack of insurance," he said.
Meacham said the state will take aggressive steps to enroll many of Tulsa's uninsured residents in Insure Oklahoma when they seek emergency or clinical care.
"It will be an intensive, grass-roots, point-of-sale concept that for now will just target Tulsa," Meacham said. "If it is successful there, it could be done statewide if we get more funding."
Insure Oklahoma was enacted in 2004 and began operation in 2005 to provide premium subsidies to small employers with low-wage workers and to individuals whose income did not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
About 16,000 Oklahomans have insurance through Insure Oklahoma, and Health Care Authority officials, who administer the program, say it has enough revenue to cover about 40,000 people.
Another major hurdle in the Tulsa hospital plan was cleared when Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor told state leaders that the city of Tulsa would be willing to take title to the hospital and fund it through a public trust. Discussions were still under way late this week to work out details of that arrangement.
Ardent, which said it was on the verge of closing the hospital, has offered to turn over the hospital to the trust.
"It's been a long time coming to get to this point," Benge said. "I feel good about the agreement we have."World staff writer Kim Archer contributed to this story.
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Tom Lindley (405) 528-2465
tom.lindley@tulsaworld.com
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Highlights of the Tulsa hospital plan:
Ardent Health Services donates the OSU Medical Center to a Tulsa trust, which contracts with St. John Health System to operate the hospital.
The state, pending legislative approval, will provide $48 million over five years to subsidize operating costs at the hospital.
Up to $50 million could be made available annually through Insure Oklahoma to provide insurance premium assistance for as many as 20,000 eligible Tulsans.
The Kaiser Family Foundation and St. John will provide $35 million over five years for operating expenses at OSU Medical Center.
By TOM LINDLEY World Capitol Bureau
Insure Oklahoma is a great program and is perfect for this plan.
Now they just have to convince the uninsured to enroll and pay the lower premiums.
[:O]
OSU medical Center is sending out mailers requesting DO's to send patients their way.
Surprised the Warrens did not step up. Oh, that is right, their big contribution lately were the pink bicycles on Rivertrails and unmitigated support for The Channels.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Surprised the Warrens did not step up. Oh, that is right, their big contribution lately were the pink bicycles on Rivertrails and unmitigated support for The Channels.
How many millions in philanthropic money have you given?
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Surprised the Warrens did not step up. Oh, that is right, their big contribution lately were the pink bicycles on Rivertrails and unmitigated support for The Channels.
How many millions in philanthropic money have you given?
Gave like eleven years of my life making jack squat in the non-profit world; so why don't you jump off this and into some of that and if you want more I have it.
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Surprised the Warrens did not step up. Oh, that is right, their big contribution lately were the pink bicycles on Rivertrails and unmitigated support for The Channels.
How many millions in philanthropic money have you given?
Gave like eleven years of my life making jack squat in the non-profit world; so why don't you jump off this and into some of that and if you want more I have it.
So the answer is "no", you have not given millions of dollars in philanthropic money. Oh, but I am sure your years working for non-profits amounts to millions of dollars.
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
quote:
Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Surprised the Warrens did not step up. Oh, that is right, their big contribution lately were the pink bicycles on Rivertrails and unmitigated support for The Channels.
How many millions in philanthropic money have you given?
Gave like eleven years of my life making jack squat in the non-profit world; so why don't you jump off this and into some of that and if you want more I have it.
So the answer is "no", you have not given millions of dollars in philanthropic money. Oh, but I am sure your years working for non-profits amounts to millions of dollars.
So the answer is 'yes,' you really want to make me the issue of a stupid broadside criticism of Lil Mr. Warren. Tell me this what did Lil Mr. Warren do to earn them millions of dollars? Get born? Shove off, dude. Saint Francis is weak, St. Johns cares. Case close.
Warren won't touch it because it's not pink and it's north of 61st.
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
This has turned into a REAL HOT topic between the two of you.
I agree with Tim. St Francis is weak and St John stepped up and jumped in and helped really helped fix the indigent care problem we were dealing with "North of 61st" !![:O]
I LOVE IT!!!!
[:O]
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
This has turned into a REAL HOT topic between the two of you.
I agree with Tim. St Francis is weak and St John stepped up and jumped in and helped really helped fix the indigent care problem we were dealing with "North of 61st" !![:O]
I LOVE IT!!!!
[:O]
So St. Francis is now "weak" because it would not bail out OSU Med but St. John's did. As for this being a "REAL HOT topic", it really is not because I believe something had to be done to save OSU Med. It's a hot topic because some people in this forum feel that the wealthy are required to give money to all causes and, if they do not, they are labeled essentially as deadbeats.
Yes St. Francis is weak, the only thing they were about to do was take the residents away from OSU Med. Ctr. Not a real good rescue. I am not the only one who feels this way. Just move the services further south and the poor have no way to get to healthcare.
And yes, I do think the wealthy should help when things are getting rough. For the most part they are out of touch and have no idea how tough life can be when money is a serious object. They take things for granted and other people have to scrape by just moving paycheck to paycheck.
Basically there are millions of people who are one paycheck away from living under a bridge. That's the kind of things the wealthy can help with.Unfortunately money makes the world go round. Most people just struggle to eat every day. One meal at a time. What tomorrow brings, well we'll see tomorrow.
Not deadbeats, just selfish and greedy. Their world barely moves beyond the tip of their noses.
One time I needed help in a financial bind and the councelor asked me if I could ask my parents for money. "NO" They don't have any. Can you ask a Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, Sister, Brother? "NO" "Noone I know has any money." There is no lifeline on our lives. No rich uncle. No Grandparent with money. NO ONE!!
If I lose my job today and am unable to find one within a month, it's under a bridge for me and my kids. That's what it's like to have no money or resources. Most wealthy people have not got a CLUE!!! They can help and should. They should also pay more taxes. Maybe just the same percentage as the working poor. The poor don't have deductions to write off, they only get the standard deduction. No tax breaks for them. Just pay it all.
There's my rant. I feel better.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that's mine.
[}:)]
P.S. I have a college education. In case you were wondering.
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
Yes St. Francis is weak, the only thing they were about to do was take the residents away from OSU Med. Ctr. Not a real good rescue. I am not the only one who feels this way. Just move the services further south and the poor have no way to get to healthcare.
And yes, I do think the wealthy should help when things are getting rough. For the most part they are out of touch and have no idea how tough life can be when money is a serious object. They take things for granted and other people have to scrape by just moving paycheck to paycheck.
Basically there are millions of people who are one paycheck away from living under a bridge. That's the kind of things the wealthy can help with.Unfortunately money makes the world go round. Most people just struggle to eat every day. One meal at a time. What tomorrow brings, well we'll see tomorrow.
Not deadbeats, just selfish and greedy. Their world barely moves beyond the tip of their noses.
One time I needed help in a financial bind and the councelor asked me if I could ask my parents for money. "NO" They don't have any. Can you ask a Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, Sister, Brother? "NO" "Noone I know has any money." There is no lifeline on our lives. No rich uncle. No Grandparent with money. NO ONE!!
If I lose my job today and am unable to find one within a month, it's under a bridge for me and my kids. That's what it's like to have no money or resources. Most wealthy people have not got a CLUE!!! They can help and should. They should also pay more taxes. Maybe just the same percentage as the working poor. The poor don't have deductions to write off, they only get the standard deduction. No tax breaks for them. Just pay it all.
There's my rant. I feel better.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that's mine.
[}:)]
P.S. I have a college education. In case you were wondering.
What kind of plasma/lcd TV do you have?
quote:
Originally posted by Noodlez
quote:
Originally posted by wavoka
Long answer: The entire Northeastern portion of the state is being bent over Ned Beatty style and made to squeal while the real pigs in OKC reap the benefits of our tax dollars because our state representatives are weenies.
And in my perfect world Green Country would be it's own state to avoid this. One can dream
They tried, although it wasn't aligned with Green Country per se; it would have left off the City....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Sequoyah
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
This has turned into a REAL HOT topic between the two of you.
I agree with Tim. St Francis is weak and St John stepped up and jumped in and helped really helped fix the indigent care problem we were dealing with "North of 61st" !![:O]
I LOVE IT!!!!
[:O]
So St. Francis is now "weak" because it would not bail out OSU Med but St. John's did. As for this being a "REAL HOT topic", it really is not because I believe something had to be done to save OSU Med. It's a hot topic because some people in this forum feel that the wealthy are required to give money to all causes and, if they do not, they are labeled essentially as deadbeats.
Saint Francis of Mercedes vs. St. John of the Poor! Ha ha!
Now, the Warrens have only been gracious and generous, and are not deserving of mean-spirited attacks. I just think it is funny that the heir of the Warren fortune saw fit to take a public stand on 'The Channels' as a public health issue but TRMC closing - not so much.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Jonette
Yes St. Francis is weak, the only thing they were about to do was take the residents away from OSU Med. Ctr. Not a real good rescue. I am not the only one who feels this way. Just move the services further south and the poor have no way to get to healthcare.
And yes, I do think the wealthy should help when things are getting rough. For the most part they are out of touch and have no idea how tough life can be when money is a serious object. They take things for granted and other people have to scrape by just moving paycheck to paycheck.
Basically there are millions of people who are one paycheck away from living under a bridge. That's the kind of things the wealthy can help with.Unfortunately money makes the world go round. Most people just struggle to eat every day. One meal at a time. What tomorrow brings, well we'll see tomorrow.
Not deadbeats, just selfish and greedy. Their world barely moves beyond the tip of their noses.
One time I needed help in a financial bind and the councelor asked me if I could ask my parents for money. "NO" They don't have any. Can you ask a Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, Sister, Brother? "NO" "Noone I know has any money." There is no lifeline on our lives. No rich uncle. No Grandparent with money. NO ONE!!
If I lose my job today and am unable to find one within a month, it's under a bridge for me and my kids. That's what it's like to have no money or resources. Most wealthy people have not got a CLUE!!! They can help and should. They should also pay more taxes. Maybe just the same percentage as the working poor. The poor don't have deductions to write off, they only get the standard deduction. No tax breaks for them. Just pay it all.
There's my rant. I feel better.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that's mine.
P.S. I have a college education. In case you were wondering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What kind of plasma/lcd TV do you have?
Exactly why does that matter?
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
quote:
What kind of plasma/lcd TV do you have?
Exactly why does that matter?
Just wondering where you are going to plug it in under the bridge.
quote:
Originally posted by wavoka
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
quote:
What kind of plasma/lcd TV do you have?
Exactly why does that matter?
Just wondering where you are going to plug it in under the bridge.
I'm runnin an extension cord from YOUR house!!!
[}:)]