O'Leary to ask for Economic Impact Study of Hospital Closing

[Ryan Salo]

Will anybody step up to challenge the following incumbents who have been closely aligned with the Lakewood Hospital discussion:

-Mary Louise Madigan
-Michael P. Summers

We will find out soon.

Nadhal

Mike Skindell looks like he may be preparing for a run. I thought he would wait but so many dems I know think he is running this year so even if he loses he will stay state sen. I honestly would still prefer Summers over Skindell, which is tough to say. I just don't like the idea of a professional politician running our city. While I disagree with a lot of what Summers has done and is doing I don't think he is using Lakewood as a springboard for anything other than maybe helping friends. ..

[Grace O'Malley]

But isn't using your position of public trust to help your friends completely unethical and even illegal? You think that's acceptable?

I think it's reprehensible.

I want to know - Is he aware he's being played and going along with it or is he clueless? Either way, it's more than concerning that he'd participate in giving away a city asset so certain people can have their precious "shopping."

[Ryan Salo]

But isn't using your position of public trust to help your friends completely unethical and even illegal? You think that's acceptable?

I think it's reprehensible.

I agree, wow we are finding a lot of common ground!

My issue with Skindell is that he is a career politician and I don't see Lakewood as his end game. I personally would like someone who genuinely loves Lakewood and is committed to helping lead it, not just use it as a stepping stone. We had those before and they don't seem to work out. In fact I think I will start a new thread about that.

[Nadhal Eadeh]

All,

I have been conducting my own research on hospital closings across the country and have the following conclusions/questions:

1. This is one of the first instances where a city collaborated on a hospital closure.

2. Economic impact study: The Lakewood Hospital Board and foundation want the average Lakewood resident to believe that the city will only lose about 1.5 million in income taxes. The economic loss to the city will be much worse. (Maybe the lack of an economic impact study was intentional)

3. Who paid for the study of Subsidium Healthcare? How were they selected? What was the selection process? How many other studies have they conducted for the Cleveland Clinic?

4. Basic economics: In an era where population growth is limited in Cuyahoga County, how will the city replace 1,100 jobs when their is limited capital amongst area residents?

Nadhal

[Grace O'Malley]

According to Jennifer Pae, the loss of income of over almost two million dollars per year for the city is:

"Although this may sound daunting, it is not insurmountable or devastating to the city government," Pae wrote.

Really? And how long do you think we can sustain that without an income tax increase? Oh, but wait, we have an answer! Economic development!

Economic development needs to be the city's top priority, Pae wrote. Filling empty office buildings and developing the 4 acres of land the city will have available once the hospital is demolished could provide additional money, she wrote.

Really? And how well has THAT been working out? I don't consider Value World thrift store and dollar stores "economic development."

Do these people live in a dream world? They are all so gleeful that the hospital is going to be gone, to "open up" all that space for development! Considering their track record, I'll pass on yet another lame-brained idea to get more "shopping" in Lakewood.

I guess 2 million a year isn't a big deal. Next time the city needs a tax increase or property tax increase, I'll remember this. Especially as I drag my oversized, unwieldy trash can through the snow because we couldn't afford backyard pickup any longer.

[Bill Grulich]

3. Who paid for the study of Subsidium Healthcare?
Nadhal

Lakewood Hospital Association paid $500,000 to Subsidium for the study.

[Nadhal Eadeh]

Bill,

Thanks for sharing.

I think the public has the right to know the following:

1. How many studies has Subsidium completed for the Cleveland Clinic?
2. Have their studies been accurate?
3. How was Subsidium chosen?

Next Steps:

1. A real economic impact study is needed. Talking points from a city official should not pass as an economic impact study.

2. As many have pointed out, services at Lakewood Hospital have been gutted over the years, some argue it was deliberate. An independent study should be commissioned to look at different health care options for the city.

If these conditions are met, I think it's an easier sell for city hall. There is a deficit of trust with this deal. Finally, the hospital has been in the Lakewood community for over 100 years, the public deserves more than 90 days to decide its fate.

Nadhal

[marklingm]

Bill,

Thanks for sharing.

I think the public has the right to know the following:

1. How many studies has Subsidium completed for the Cleveland Clinic?
2. Have their studies been accurate?
3. How was Subsidium chosen?

Next Steps:

1. A real economic impact study is needed. Talking points from a city official should not pass as an economic impact study.

2. As many have pointed out, services at Lakewood Hospital have been gutted over the years, some argue it was deliberate. An independent study should be commissioned to look at different health care options for the city.

If these conditions are met, I think it's an easier sell for city hall. There is a deficit of trust with this deal. Finally, the hospital has been in the Lakewood community for over 100 years, the public deserves more than 90 days to decide its fate.

Nadhal

All excellent points, Nadhal!

But why hasn't City Council been asking these questions earlier?

They probably knew about the Lakewood Hospital "schemes" for a year ... if not more.

Matt

[Bill Call]

But why hasn't City Council been asking these questions earlier?

They probably knew about the Lakewood Hospital "schemes" for a year ... if not more.

Matt

The Clinic has known for at least 10 years that Lakewood Hospital had to be closed down. All of their actions during the last 10 years were based on that knowledge.

It never occurred to me that the Hospital Board and Foundation were supporting that slow and deliberate destruction but that seems to be the case.

According to the Susidium report the Clinic deferred at least $11,000,000 in maintenance and repairs over that period. That doesn't even include the past due maintenance on the garage or the deliberate degradation of medical technology and equipment.

Can the City get more than a minute clinic?

Can the City prevent the Board from getting control of the money?

If City Council can accomplish both of those things they have done all that is possible.

I suspect we won't get either one.