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Hospitals warn of closures

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Illinois

The Illinois Catholic Health Association has issued a statement about the $1.5 billion cuts to Medicaid, mental health and other social programs that Governor Rauner proposed. Its 44 Catholic hospitals, 22 nursing facilities, and 26 other Catholic-sponsored services like hospice, assisted living, and senior housing, help out more than 9 million Illinoisans each year. The group points out that its hospitals provided in-patient care to more than 2 million Medicare and 1.3 million Medicaid beneficiaries in 2014.

Here is the rest of the Association’s statement:

“Just estimating for our Catholic hospitals alone, the aggregate Medicaid cuts would total over $200 million. To sustain this shortfall, over 3,000 jobs would be put at risk and the economic activity associated with these lost jobs would be a negative $480 million.

Because our faith and commitment are strong and constant, the state of Catholic health care and Catholic social service ministries in Illinois is strong and will remain strong. However, without the assistance and support of the state of Illinois, many of our neediest citizens, mostly children and the elderly, will bear the brunt of these draconian budget cuts.

Therefore, the ICHA Board of Directors strongly believes that Governor Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly have the economic, budgetary and moral obligation to pass a budget that provides for strong, equitable health care and social services for its citizens who are most vulnerable and in need.”

* Kurt Erickson…

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s plan to slash Medicaid spending could trigger a loss of more than 3,000 jobs at the state’s 44 Catholic-run hospitals and significant cuts to programs serving the poor and elderly, according to a joint statement issued by the hospitals Monday. […]

Patrick Cacchione, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Health Association, said the group issued its statement Monday in order to remind members of the legislature to consider the problems that Rauner’s budget may cause. […]

“This affects real lives. It’s not just an academic exercise on balancing a budget,” Cacchione said.

* WEEK…

The ICHA says to sustain the shortfall, 3,000 jobs would be risk and the economic impact of that would be a loss of $480 million.
The group says the neediest citizens will bear the brunt of these cuts.

According to a spokesperson, Gov. Rauner is not interested in extending the program beyond the end of 2017.

* Sun-Times…

More than 40 percent of the state’s hospitals are operating in the red and still dealing with cuts from the state’s passage of a Medicaid reform bill in 2012, said Maryjane Wurth, president and CEO of the Illinois Hospital Association. […]

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, said La Rabida Children’s Hospital in his district would likely have to close if negotiations over Rauner’s 2016 budget don’t improve hospital funding.

“That’s literally the circumstances, not a false alarm,” Raoul said. ”They’ve got a population who otherwise wouldn’t be served.”

Dr. John Jay Shannon, CEO of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, said county hospitals would be indirectly affected by the budget.

“We’re going to see it through things like the jail and through things like the [emergency department], where we’ll start to see more people coming to us because they no longer are able to get those services that were in their community,” Shannon said.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:25 am

Comments

Extend which program beyond 2017? Expanded Medicaid? The hospital assessment program? I went to the full article, but it’s still vague.

Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:28 am
“Ten days ago, the governor cut $26 million from social services programs to help balance a shortfall in this year’s budget, but did not rescind several pending corporate tax credits.

“I hate to do it but we need fiscal discipline,” he says. “We can only spend what we have.”

But while cutting $26 million, Rauner did not suspend corporate tax breaks.

“We already have a lack of credibility with employers here in Illinois,” he says. “We didn’t think it right for us to rescind those agreements.”

New State motto “Wanted - For Profit Businesses Only. Not for profits need not apply.”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:36 am
Commander, poor writing or another example of Raunerspeak from the Gov’s press staff.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:41 am
Maybe the hospitals should change their names to EBay or Capitol One.

They have a priority lien on taxpayer money in this time of shared sacrifice.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:43 am
i.e., we want our money.

Comment by Catholic's message Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:44 am
Gov. Rauner loves this.

Why?

“Leverage”.

Governor Rauner has repeatedly stated its about leverage, he (Rauner) could care less about his own personal re-election, that he is driven by his own matrix of results, and people, all people, are chattle.

“People are chattle, OW?”

When you are a governor, and you do a cost/benefit ratio when government services aren’t profit driven, yep, people are chattle, and they cost too much.

Let’s also be very clear about the “Good Friday Massacre”, the “misunderstanding” and trust, and how it all ties into this too;

A man who goes on tour after tour about keeping his promises to “the people”, in the light of day, front and center…

…but waits, waits until a holiday weekend to cut services, especially services that have a day for their efforts and choose that day to cut funding…you aren’t being honest, no matter the Willy Wonka fine print testimony.

“Surprised and Confused” rarely happens when you don’t betray your partners, or double-cross those on a limb for you.

The second Rauner’s Crew double-crossed everyone is bad, but pretending that a holiday weekend to hide it shouldn’t “surprise or confuse” anyone is delusional.

Rauner’s Crew chose, make no mistake, that Good Friday to hide the deception. That’s real. That’s as honest as it gets.

How does all this relate?

Will the 177 members…trust…Rauner to fix this hospital fiasco?

Will the Four Tops know that Rauner’s word…is good?

The first big compromise (FY2015 “fix”) is now tainted with betrayal. Are the Four Tops and 173 other members convinced Rauner is an honest partner in saving, in this case, hospitals?

Fool me once, shame on you…

Governing is difficult, Governor. When your word isn’t rely worth too much, it gets more difficult.

Here is a chance, Governor Rauner, to make a commitment, and keep your word.

This problem isn’t going away.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:45 am
Sonny says there’s no room in Illinois for entities that don’t make money!

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:48 am
“This affects real lives. It’s not just an academic exercise on balancing a budget,” Cacchione said.

This gets right at the problem, it’s easy to cut a budget if you don’t concern yourself with the real people your cuts actually impact. Any of us can be the next Donna Arduin like guru if you take this approach.

Comment by slow down Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:48 am
I don’t think that taxpayers should be paying to keep hospitals open in order to provide the economy with jobs.

How many hospitals are necessary in order to provide citizens with high-quality medical services, given that they are an extremely expensive way of providing care. Given the medical advances of recent decades (same day surgery, laparoscopic surgery, many others), I suspect the need for inpatient hospital stays has declined. How many hospital beds do we really need, for optimal care.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:50 am
Buckets full of leverage.

Ready to go, as soon as the leaders say so.

Pain is good. Pain is a commodity. Pain is gods way of reminding you that you are alive.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:54 am
And after a while, you can work on points for style.
Like the club tie, and the firm handshake,
A certain look in the eye and an easy smile.
You have to be trusted by the people that you lie to,
So that when they turn their backs on you,
You’ll get the chance to put the knife in.

“Dogs” Pink Floyd (Waters,Gilmour)

Comment by RetiredStateEmployee Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:54 am
Cassandra:

Keeping hospitals open has everything to do with access to healthcare. Jobs are a side benefit.

If you lived in a rural area with no access to a hospital and had to travel many miles to reach one you might have a different outlook.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:55 am
“Then business will have to suffer!” - Governor Sonny Rauner

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 9:55 am
BR: “Let ‘em eat cake. Then get sick and die. Shakin’ up Springfield.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:03 am
“How many hospitals are necessary in order to provide citizens with high-quality medical services, given that they are an extremely expensive way of providing care. Given the medical advances of recent decades (same day surgery, laparoscopic surgery, many others), I suspect the need for inpatient hospital stays has declined. How many hospital beds do we really need, for optimal care.”

Do you have any facts to back this up, or are you just supposin’? I’m all for all institutions diminishing their physical footprints, but I’ve seen nothing that indicates that comprehensive medical care doesn’t still need a massive physical infrastructure.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:07 am
Arsenal-

Why does comprehensive medical care need a massive physical infrastructure?

For example, primary care can and probably should be provided as locally as possible, in the home or as close as possible to home. Why should you have to see the doc in his/her office in the billion dollar hospital complex.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:22 am
==Why does comprehensive medical care need a massive physical infrastructure?==

They are called hospitals Cassandra. You might want to tour one sometime to see what they offer. Sheesh.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:24 am
We should get all our medical care at those massive physical structures called hospitals?

Now that is scary. Expensive scary. No wonder the state can’t keep up with the costs.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:34 am
I saw a Reboot poll around a year ago, during the spring legislative session, in which the question was something like, “It doesn’t matter how people are hurt by budget cuts, just don’t raise my taxes.” Over 60 percent of respondents agreed with this.

Christian nation indeed.

To me the greatness of a country or a state has in part to do with how well it treats its poorest and sickest. I am adamantly, adamantly opposed to these cuts, in light of giving corporations massive tax breaks.

By the way, Gallup just released a massive survey showing the largest drop in uninsured in its history. Part of that is due to Obamacare.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:39 am
“Why does comprehensive medical care need a massive physical infrastructure?”

Because you need a clean, controlled environment with a lot of specialized equipment and medicine to see a doctor.

“Why should you have to see the doc in his/her office in the billion dollar hospital complex.”

Because his/her office is a safer, cleaner environment with more of the necessary tools, equipment, and medicine immediately on hand.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:49 am
“We should get all our medical care at those massive physical structures called hospitals?”

You’ve provided literally no argument otherwise.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:50 am
“For example, primary care can and probably should be provided as locally as possible, in the home or as close as possible to home.”

Primary care, of course, is only one aspect of comprehensive medical care. Moreover, if you “break up” a big hospital into many smaller, local, clinics, you’re not really diminishing the infrastructure, you’re just rearranging it. And Economies of Scale being, y’know, a thing, you’re probably making it all more expensive.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 10:52 am
Cass, my husband is an administrator at a hospital and you are correct that census is decreasing for the reasons you listed. But all those out patient procedures still require doctors, nurses, support staff, etc. and hospitals are jam packed with these procedures. Double rooms are being converted to single rooms due to HIPPA laws and excess patient rooms are being converted to care areas for all those out patient procedures. Oh and just for the record, non profit hospitals are only being reimbursed at about .26 on the dollar now. Additional cuts will be devastating and those of us with insurance continue to make up the difference in increased costs

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 11:00 am
We have already had reasonable “Medicaid reform,” saving us millions, as noted above by the Sun Times. The problem is that for ideologues like Arduin, more Medicaid cuts are always required, right down to zero.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 11:08 am
Lots of places are moving to smaller, more focused health care settings. Just because it is not in a giant hospital, does not mean it is reduced care.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2014/11/14/a-change-of-plans-hospitals-focus-on-smaller.html?page=all

http://www.hfmmagazine.com/display/HFM-news-article.dhtml?dcrPath=/templatedata/HF_Common/NewsArticle/data/HFM/Magazine/2013/Dec/1213HFM_FEA_TrendsOverview

http://www.ascassociation.org/AdvancingSurgicalCare/aboutascs/industryoverview/apositivetrendinhealthcare

Comment by Scholarlyish Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 11:16 am
“How many hospital beds do we really need, for optimal care.”

I anxiously await any evidence — ANY evidence — that these cuts are being made to provide the people of Illinois with “optimal care”…

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 11:44 am
Well said MrJM.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 12:27 pm
==We should get all our medical care at those massive physical structures called hospitals?==

Nowhere have I seen that suggested. Nowhere. What I have seen suggested (by you) is that we need to get rid of some hospitals. Dumbest. Idea. Ever.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Maybe I don’t think like corporate bigwigs, but if I were considering moving a business into a state, I would want to be sure it had adequate health care for me and my employees.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Cassandra is half right - we do have too many hospitals beds, given how healthcare is delivered today and will/should be into the future. The future will be about ambulatory care, wellness, prevention and keeping people out of hospitals.

However, where Cassandra and this budget are wrong is to let the marketplace, or more specifically, the dependence on Medicaid, drive which hospitals will close. The result will be large swaths of geography without adequate hospital access. The south side of Chicago, the south suburbs of Chicago, many areas downstate will become healthcare wastelands. (The North Sides, North Shore and DuPage will be just fine.)

Plus, hospitals serve as an anchor for doctors and other medical services in an area. If the hospitals close, all the related services will drift away, too.

What the State needs is a systematic way to address the excess bed issue, but the politics are very difficult. Relying on the marketplace and Medicaid budget cuts to do the job will leave a very ugly maldistribution of healthcare access.

Comment by Rasselas Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 1:26 pm
The reality - sad or otherwise - is that hospital groups in general have been, are and will continue to gobble physician networks, specialty providers and even other hospitals. My numbers are old, but when the Springfield Chamber ended its first round of Q5 studies it was discovered that Memorial, St. Johnn’s and Springfield Clinic employed a combined 10,000 people.

Where we can start to question some of this is whether a large group of Catholic hospitals (such as HSHS) - which pay no taxes - can scream bloody murder (no pun intended) about cuts and revised reimbursement rates and schedules. Another area that can be scrutinized is construction grants for hospitals. Carlinville Area Hospital was about to shut its doors, but the state swooped in and covered half of the cost to build a NEW facility. It cost the state at least $13 million. Guess what?! CAH cannot keep a full house, so to speak, and is still experiencing money woes.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Twitterverse…

@tonyjarnold: Sen Pres John Cullerton says Gov Rauner didn’t go back on his word by freezing $26 mil in grants, “but that doesn’t make them good ideas”

Good news for Rauner, but will it translate to “trust” again, so… easily?

@KristaMBurris: Steans says they weren’t clear about cuts, and the process needs to be more transparent. She also says she wouldn’t have voted for the bill.

So, there’s that, and…

@KristaMBurris: Manar asks how do lawmakers know when they appropriate money for particular programs that the money won’t be suspended.

Fences need mending, on the first “agreed to”…compromise.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 1:49 pm
@ OW, it’s like I said the other day, even if it’s not technically a “betrayal”, and even if the Senate Dems are being unreasonable, it doesn’t matter. It’s functionally no different than if Rauner had betrayed them.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 2:58 pm
- Arsenal -,

You lost me, but it’s probably me…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 3:01 pm
@ OW

No, I’m not being clear.

Take two: Whether or not Rauner actually “betrayed” the GA is irrelevant, because legislators clearly THINK he’s breached some kind of trust with them. Whether they’re being unreasonable or not, they’re not going to cut Rauner any slack going forward (Especially not Senate Dems, who didn’t care for him much before this).

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 3:58 pm
- Arsenal -,

Agreed. It does have a great deal to do with how it is perceived.

Like a slight;

The person allegedly “giving” the slight may not even realize what they said/did is seen as such, but the person on the other end, how they “take” really dictates if it is/isn’t a slight.

All good, sorry it took me another bite at it to get your point, apologies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 4:02 pm
So this is how the Gov. is making Illinois the most compassionate state.

Comment by nona Tuesday, Apr 14, 15 @ 8:25 pm