Monday, September 28, 2009

Half Better Than None?....10/30


Remember when Essent was negotiating for Nachez Regional Medical Center--and they backed out because the other hospital in town wasn't included in the deal? Well, for the first time in five years, NRMC is projecting a profit of approximately 3/4 of a million. Timing is everything, I'd say.

'Course they're also projecting $12.5 Million in bad debt--unpaid bills. Now, if Obama-care makes it through, would those debts be unpaid? That would suddenly transform these small, un-profitable hospitals into cash machines...or so it's touted.

A lot of folks don't remember, but one of Hud's (the original CEO of Essent) catch phrases was, "We want to make this 'the' hospital in the area..." Hud really meant, the only hospital in the area. They were actually going to try to repeat the Paris condition.

This is the one where patients are shuttled back and forth by ambulance from ER to ER, based on an initial diagnosis which may or may not be accurate? And where they are moved, again by ambulance, to the North to have an MRI, and then back to the South?

To heck with hospitals, I'm investing in ambulance services! That is the growth industry.

But, if either Obama-care, or the proposed Republican health care plan go through, the county hospitals that Essent has been scooping up will suddenly be gold--in 2010-13. Isn't that when the phase in goes into effect?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why has PRMC put up the EMERGENCY signs at the North Campus? Are they going to run two ER's. I have talked to some nurses and they don't even have all the equipment to function as a Minor ER. I wonder why Dux is doing this phase. Doesn't make sense. Walk in's to the north ER that need to be admitted are going to have to go by EMS to South, and if a chest pain comes in to South and needs a cath, boom-ambulance ride to North. PRMC/Essent waste so much damn money, its crazy. Somebody please expain this phase from PRMC.

Giles Corey said...

Ahhh but Essent just bought a hospital in Ohio! Guess who won't be getting any funds put in their 401Ks this year either?

Anonymous said...

Every time I see someone I used to work with there, I ask how they're doing. When they reply, they always look to make sure that no one else can hear them. That tells me a lot.

Anonymous said...

That last comment makes me glad I no longer work there. Can't comment on St. Joe, but McCuistion used to be a great place to work. Things went to hell and gone when Texas Healthcare took over, and got worse when Christus and Essent came to town. It's so sad to hear about that place now.....I feel sorry for those former colleagues of mine who are lifelong residents & employees. They deserve better, as does the community.

BUying them off with the retention bonus/kiss-our-a$$-if-you-want-to-keep-your-job bonus was a great exercise in instant gratification- Duckers must think that if the bonuses are paid now, the employees won't miss those matching funds in their 401ks later.