They should have stayed in Scotland.....just because it is available certainly does not make it better.....and just because you pay alot certainly doesn't make it better......but,,,,if you have alot of $$ to offer to get at the "head of the line"-----you win.......and those folks will always exist.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I just hate when people from other countries, come to America and criticize everything! GO BACK WHERE YA CAME FROM!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY Merger calls for building funds St. Clare’s, Ellis ask state to help with new facility BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Ellis and St. Clare’s hospitals are asking the state to fund construction of either a new hospital or a new women’s health center as a way to meet state mandates that they consolidate and absorb the services provided by Bellevue Woman’s Hospital in Niskayuna. The two city hospitals forwarded their request Friday to the state Department of Health. The request will not be available to the public until after Aug. 1 , a department spokeswoman said. The hospitals are asking the state to provide five years worth of funding to study and put in place either proposal. They are also asking the state for money to study the longterm effect of maintaining multiple hospital campuses versus a single campus, and that the state help bail out St. Clare’s $34 million unfunded pension obligation. The hospitals did not release financial information with their request. “It is premature to discuss dollar figures. We want to give the Department of Health a chance to analyze it,” said Beth Krueger of Behan Communications, a public relations firm hired by the hospitals. “We will leave it up to the health department to determine what is appropriate.” Claudia Hutton of the state Department of Health had no comment. She said department staff will review the hospitals’ request along with those they are receiving from other facilities affected by the findings of the Berger Commission. Dr. Brian Gordon, a Schenectady County legislator and surgeon, said a new hospital could cost between $300 million and $500 million to build, based on a formula of $1 million per hospital bed. He also said a proposed woman’s health center could cost about $20 million. Both would require several years to build. The Berger Commission, formally known as the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century, issued recommendations last year as part of efforts to modernize the state’s health care system and save up to $800 million a year in Medicaid and other insurance costs. The recommendations became law Jan. 1. The state and federal governments have set aside about $2 billion to help hospitals and nursing homes adopt the recommendations. The commission recommended that Ellis and St. Clare’s consolidate by 2009 and that the state close Bellevue Woman’s Hospital by 2008. The closing of Bellevue is opposed by Bellevue officials as well as area political leaders. The state Senate approved legislation to keep Bellevue open, but the Assembly adjourned for the year before voting on similar legislation. Gordon said the Ellis and St. Clare’s proposal for a new hospital is not workable. “I couldn’t think of a better idea than a new hospital, but I don’t think it is realistic. If there is a total pool of $2 billion, I don’t think Schenectady will get one quarter of it,” he said. “We have precious little time to make a realistic decision and we should be spending our time on how to allocate care and use our existing facilities to the best of their abilities,” Gordon said. He said the hospitals have not even determined where they would build the new hospital, and if they can’t “do a brand new hospital, they would divide services between them.” This would be in keeping with the two-hospital, two-campus health care system they proposed as a way to handle the Berger mandates. Under this proposal, Ellis would build a women and children’s health center on its campus. The center would provide comprehensive services similar to those now provided by Bellevue, including abortion and contraceptive services. St. Clare’s, a Catholic hospital, would not be affiliated with the stand-alone center, as abortion and contraceptive services are opposed by the Catholic Church. Krueger said the center would “ensure all services are available in the community.” She said the proposal to build a new hospital offers a rare opportunity “to really take a look at all options at this time. This is the time to see what is viable and to present both options.” Hospital officials said they developed their request following advice and guidance of physicians, staff, community leaders, elected officials and others. “We have concluded … that the community’s interest is best served by a thorough examination of all responsible alternatives,” Ellis Chief Executive Officer James Connolly said in a statement.
Oh, not to worry. The state will hand over the bucks since in the very near future, there will be univeral health care in NYS and the government will own the hospitals, doctors, nurses AND YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS!!
And each state will follow suit so that when all states are controlling all of the medical than the fed's will come in and scoop them all up under their umbrella! SCARY SCARY SCARY!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I thought the idea of consolidation was to save money, not to make 2 hospitals into one, then have Extreme Hospital Makeover and have them still working as 2 separate entities. I was under the impression that they would be going under one roof, maybe closing one of the hospitals. Wasn't this whole thing to save tax money, and now you have the hospitals (which are supposed to become 1 by this) now SEPARATELY begging for money from the state?
I understood it as there would still be 2 hospitals. However the services would be different at each location. That's the way I understood it anyways. Oh...and on the Ellis campus, they would build another building to take the place of Bellevue....I don't understand either!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Nursing home workers to unionize SCHENECTADY— Employees at The Avenue Nursing Home voted Friday to join a health care workers’ union. The nearly 200 workers will be members of 1199SEIU, the largest union of health care workers on the East Coast. They are licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and dietary and housekeeping employees at the home owned by Capital Living and Rehabilitation Centres. Workers cited better staffi ng as a reason for joining the union. A few blocks down the road at Dutch Manor Nursing Home, also owned by Capital Living, a union vote was narrowly defeated. But workers who want to be unionized will file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to overturn that vote. “We want a union at both of these nursing homes. We even had the support of the families of the residents,” said Freddie Rambo, a porter at Dutch Manor, which has fewer than 100 employees.
Consider long term, not just short, with hospital merger plan PATRICIA A. FOX, M.D. Schenectady The writer is vice chief of staff at St. Clare’s Hospital for plastic surgery.
I remain deeply concerned about the plans for restructuring Schenectady’s hospitals. Our city is involved in a wonderful renaissance downtown with the introduction of new and the expansion of existing businesses. We are proud of these changes and congratulate all involved. We have received a mandate from the Berger Commission and, as a community, we must look to this as an opportunity. We have three hospitals in our county, and our needs are best met by consolidation. Our medical staffs have expressed a unanimous desire for a single facility, a true consolidation of services. Support for this is truly overwhelming. Rather than fighting over the survival of Bellevue, let’s work toward a consolidation of all three hospitals into a new entity. These hospitals employ a signifi cant number of the Schenectady County citizens. We need to ensure the viability of our medical system for the next 50-plus years. It is essential to the economic health of our city and county. How can we do this? Consider the options: a new campus and new hospital, site to be determined; a new hospital on the St. Clare’s site (20 acres); a remodeling of the existing Ellis Hospital (12-acre site). Explore funding options, seek out prospective major donors and discuss the economic issues with Metroplex. I am very concerned that the most desired options are being downplayed while the agenda to grow Ellis Hospital is rushed forward — citing monetary concerns without any effort to investigate possible financing options. Such an agenda lacks the progressive, forwardlooking approach Schenectady County deserves. It leaves us with a limited site with intrinsic logistic problems including environmental concerns related to road access, power grid needs, parking and future expansion needs. I hope we are not too late to alter course, as this is our opportunity to bring a renaissance to the health care segment of our economic engine and maintain and enhance the efficient delivery of quality health care in our community. With a new facility, we will be able to attract new staff and physicians to our community and continue to provide the high standard of care we have come to enjoy and expect. We entrusted the committee with the task of creating a joint governance structure. I ask that in this process, they look to the future and make a recommendation that is progressive and will provide a long-term solution to our health care needs — not an expensive short-term model. Don’t discount the needs, desires and will of the people and doctors of Schenectady.
Nursing home workers to unionize SCHENECTADY— Employees at The Avenue Nursing Home voted Friday to join a health care workers’ union. The nearly 200 workers will be members of 1199SEIU, the largest union of health care workers on the East Coast. They are licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and dietary and housekeeping employees at the home owned by Capital Living and Rehabilitation Centres. Workers cited better staffi ng as a reason for joining the union. A few blocks down the road at Dutch Manor Nursing Home, also owned by Capital Living, a union vote was narrowly defeated. But workers who want to be unionized will file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to overturn that vote. “We want a union at both of these nursing homes. We even had the support of the families of the residents,” said Freddie Rambo, a porter at Dutch Manor, which has fewer than 100 employees.
And unionizing will help.....how?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
To build or not to build is hospitals' dilemma Officials say state-mandated combination of Ellis, St. Clare's facilities will be costly in either case
By ALAN WECHSLER, Business writer First published: Tuesday, July 17, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- How much to build a new hospital in Schenectady? Opinions vary, but everyone agrees on one thing: It won't be cheap.
On Friday, Ellis and St. Clare's hospitals asked the state for funding to help with a state-mandated merger. They had two ideas: keep both buildings and get rid of duplication, or build a new hospital.
Susan Savage, chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature, said state Department of Health officials had told her a new hospital would cost about $1 million per bed.
Ellis and St. Clare's officials haven't said exactly how big this new hospital would be, or what it might cost. But another county legislature member -- Brian Gordon, an orthopedic surgeon who practices in Schenectady -- said he expected it would cost from $300 million to $500 million.
"A new hospital would be ideal for our community," he said. "However, I don't think it's a realistic expectation -- it's so unlikely we may be wasting the precious little time we have."
Neil Golub, chairman of Bellevue Woman's Hospital, said he had heard from Ellis that a new hospital could cost as much as $600 million. Ellis officials refuse to discuss the cost issue.
"Building a third hospital in Schenectady is the most absurd, idiotic idea I've ever heard," he said. "Where are they going to get the money?"
Ellis Hospital, with 220 beds, and St. Clare's Hospital, with 160 beds, are two of dozens of hospitals around the state that have asked the state Department of Health for funding. They say they need the money to comply with a state edict to either close or merge. Bellevue, under the edict, has been told to close, and officials there are pushing to stay open. Ellis and St. Clare's want to build their own women's center at Ellis, possibly under the Bellevue name.
But there's not much to go around -- just $550 million. Bellevue, which has 40 beds, had also submitted an application by the Monday deadline. President Anne Saile estimates it will cost Bellevue -- which she said is now making about $250,000 a month profit -- about $40 million to close down and resolve its debt.
State officials say hospitals shouldn't expect the state to pay for everything.
"We're not the first place to go for money," said Claudia Hutton, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health. "We never have painted that this $550 million is going to solve everyone's problems. It can't; it just isn't enough."
A look around the nation shows how expensive a new hospital can be. A new Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, scheduled to open in 2009 with 317 beds, will cost an estimated $548 million. A new general hospital in San Francisco has been reported to be $622 million. A 165-bed hospital in Phoenix is estimated at $189 million.
In western Maryland, two hospitals in the city of Cumberland are being replaced by a single, new hospital. The 277-bed, seven-story building will cost about $257 million by 2009.
"Instead of investing money in old buildings, we thought it would be prudent to invest in one hospital," said Kathy Rogers, a spokeswoman for the Western Maryland Health System.
TOP HEADLINE Bellevue Set to Close: Ellis Will Take Over After months of speculation sources have confirmed to CBS 6 News that Bellevue Woman's Hospital will be closing its doors. According to the chairman of the board Neil Golub, as of November 1st of this year the hospital will be taken over by Ellis Hospital. Golub says that the board met with the the State Health Department on Wednesday night and they were informed of the takeover. July 19, 2007 - 4:47PM
And I just heard on channel 13 news that the CEO of Bellevue will stay on until the transfer is completed. Then she is leaving. When asked if this is a short term or long term solution, she said she didn't know.
Well, they are either satisfied with the decision and feel they are not needed any longer. OR They have plans to possibly open a smaller private women's hospital. OR They are just pissed!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY COUNTY Ellis to take over care at Bellevue Deal satisfies Berger Commission BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter
Ellis Hospital will take over Bellevue Woman’s Hospital, maintaining services at Bellevue’s Niskayuna campus “for a period of time yet to be determined,” according to an Ellis statement released Thursday. Anne Saile, Bellevue’s chief executive officer, said “We were victorious” in the campaign to maintain women’s hospital services, although Bellevue will be surrendering its operating certifi - cate by Nov. 1. Claudia Hutton, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, said the Ellis-Bellevue agreement will satisfy the requirement of the Berger commission law that Bellevue close. The law, which took effect Jan. 1, puts into effect proposals of a commission headed by Stephen Berger that called for health-care cuts statewide to make the system more efficient and save public money. Ellis CEO James Connolly said he will seek “an absolutely seamless and transparent continuation of services” at the Bellevue campus, and does not anticipate any layoffs. Connolly said Ellis will be guided by reaction from the Health De- partment to its building plans, and it is possible that the Bellevue campus could stay open indefi - nitely if Ellis decides in the end not to go ahead with new construction. The Berger law also requires Ellis and St. Clare’s hospitals, both in the city of Schenectady, to enter into a joint governance agreement. Those hospitals have jointly submitted plans to the DOH calling either for a new women’s and children’s center at Ellis or an entirely new hospital. DOH approval and financial aid would be required for either plan. Saile said Thursday’s agreement means Ellis “is going to own Bellevue, basically.” The price has yet to be determined, she said, but she expects the money to be provided by the state and to be used to pay off Bellevue’s debts. Ceil Mack, spokeswoman for St. Clare’s, said it learned about the Ellis-Bellevue agreement Thursday, and does not expect it to affect the negotiations between Ellis and St. Clare’s. Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, said: “The news about Bellevue Women’s Hospital is unfortunate, especially since the Senate passed a bill to keep them open and the Assembly refused to take it up.” The Senate bill to exempt Bellevue from the Berger law passed that house unanimously in June, but the equivalent bill in the Assembly did not make it out of the Health Committee. Schenectady County Legislator and Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, said the Ellis-Bellevue agreement was “sad news,” and that it is unclear how long Ellis will maintain full services at the Bellevue campus. But Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said, “What we see today is some kind of compromise,” and “I’m glad that the Bellevue facility will remain open.” Savage added, “I don’t think it makes any sense to replicate services” that are now offered at Bellevue by building a new facility at the Ellis campus or elsewhere. Earlier this week, Savage suggested moving the Glendale nursing home from Glenville to the St. Clare’s campus in Schenectady, which would mean losing at least a substantial part of the hospital there. Farley and his father, Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, both said Thursday that they opposed that proposal, in part because Schenectady County cannot afford to lose the hospital services offered at St. Clare’s. Robert Farley said the proposal could adversely affect negotiations between Ellis and St. Clare’s and that the county should not play any role in driving St. Clare’s out of operation. He said the county should either build a new nursing home or rehabilitate the Glendale Home. Savage said it will be up to St. Clare’s how it reacts to any possible proposal from the county. “There is a lot of interest on the part of the diocese” in selling or leasing St. Clare’s to the county for use as a nursing home, she said. Ken Goldfarb, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, declined to comment on Savage’s proposal and referred questions to St. Clare’s. Although St. Clare’s has a $34 million unfunded pension obligation, Connolly, the Ellis CEO, said it does not have other long-term debt, and he hopes state aid can ease the transition so that all three hospital campuses can be united under one management. “I don’t have an immediate reaction one way or the other” to the proposal to put the county-owned nursing home at the St. Clare’s campus, Connolly said. Mack, the St. Clare’s spokeswoman, said Thursday that Savage’s plan has not been considered by St. Clare’s, although she declined to rule it out. St. Clare’s is moving ahead with implementation of the Berger law, Mack said.
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