From my comments section:
- I worked at a hospital that served its community for over 130 years until it closed in August 08. Due to the under and uninsured patients we cared for, it could not survive. Over the years numerous outpatient imaging and surgical centers popped up in the area. Of course, these places do not accept uninsured patients and,like your blog stated, left the hospital to bear the cost of caring for them. One of the ironies of this is that many of the same docs who were shocked, saddened, devastated, when the hospital announced it was closing were the same ones who referred their paying pts to the ASCs and free-standing imaging centers. I don't think they knew how negatively this impacted the hospital until it was too late. Now, the other hospitals are getting an influx of charity care patients. And so it goes...It is a sad world we live in. I don't have the answers. I just try to get through each day helping a few people and not hurting anyone. Meagan...an old nurse
- October 18, 2008 6:09 PM
What a loss to the community and to the people who worked there.
ReplyDeleteI have seen health care systems cut back on overtime pay and capital expenses, etc. What do you foresee when you say - this is just the beginning?
Ah, Happy, what to do? You and I both decry the VA system, but we need a national health care policy that encompasses efficent delivery with out breaking the budget. (I think the budget is already broken, however.) So what is the solution?
ReplyDeleteThe government can promise universal healthcare, but they can't promise that physicians will accept government rates.
ReplyDeleteAt least until we become Cuba.
Interestingly, when there is an after-hours complication, the SurgiCenters are happy to refer their patients to the regular hospital.