Let's Make Sure, So We Can Move Forward Together!

[Jim O'Bryan]

A little background music to read this to. Just hit play button.

If the hospital deal is so good?

Why did the Mayor lie to cover it up?
Why Did Council President Madigan lie to cover up and repeat the lie?

FACT - They had the rough outline in September 2014.

FACT - They knew there were not 100 beds, and knew Metro was not part of it.
Officials, elected by the public to serve the public, first and foremost, lied to cover up
their secret 2+ year plan to get rid of the hospital behind our backs

If the deal was so good?

Why did they need to hire a crisis management team to deal with the residents who had
always supported them. And why hire an agency that goes to war against the opposition?
Really go to war against residents?

Why was a $120 million dollar deal announced?

FACT - The Mayor, Council President Madigan and Councilman Tom Bullock knew it did
not add up to $120 million dollars. Why another lie?

Is this a good deal for Lakewood?

OPINION - I am puzzled about how, when a city that has a great money-making
value-added service-providing asset valued at $178 million dollars in 2014. Months later
it is liquidated with the City of Lakewood losing $20 million - $40 million!

No sane person can call it a good deal. That is nearly a negative $200 million dollar loss
of assets in less than six months.

When proven liars collide...

Mayor Summers has made the "Don't-call-it-a-Rec Center" the centerpiece in the Hospital
Deal, sending any money left, about $24 million, that was always our money, to a "yet-
to-be-named-or-purposed new non-profit" whose not-yet-to-be-decided-members are
leaking stuff all over town abut how they are spending OUR MONEY.

Council President Mary Louise Madigan has made it clear that "they have nothing to do
with each other, mere coincidence" Is it also "coincidence" that you are trying to shorten
purge time of public documents? A "coincidence" there is a charter change coming
through council to drop "Lakewood Hospital" from the charter? A "coincidence" that all
of this was to be announced in June, right after the task force was completed, charter
changes had happened, and files were destroyed?

So who do you believe? History would say neither.

A short note that will probably run long...
I have spoken with people all over the city about this deal. The only people that like it are
If you are connected to LCA/LSA (rumors have the soccer fields in the drawings!!!) you
think it is great.

If you understand economics, losing jobs, home-buying, community life, you are freaking
because a Rec Center that could cost under hundreds of dollars a year in increased taxes,
would be insane to talk about after losing 1,100 medical jobs.

OR Maybe you are a real American, and believe in democracy, transparency, openness,
accountability, and a government that trusts its people-- that does not scheme against
them for its own self-interest. Then you are upset. Then you should also be upset about
the 1988 re-formation of the Hospital Association, after they had been caught in Sunshine
violations (Fox vs City of Lakewood) and City Hall assisted them in figuring out a way to
keep whatever they did in the future behind closed doors. Then you really need to be mad
at Ed FitzGerald who opened the door to letting the clinic move out, and Mayor Summers
and Council President Madigan for expediting the demise of Lakewood's 100+ year-old
money-making institution. All behind doors they worked very hard to keep closed.

Or maybe you are a legal scholar, and realize that any deal "this good" that is surrounded
by so many lies and mistruths that have been circulated by city officials, has to be
something illegal. Certainly the Mayor and Council President Madigan have been negligent
in their fiduciary responsibility to City Council, and the residents. Does it climb to a
criminal level?

To the Mayor, City Council President, and Councilman Tom Bullock, so that we can
believe you again, some of us DEMAND that you ask the state ethics board to come in and
look at everything. Quit stonewalling public record requests, open the books, the letters,
the conversations, about not just the hospital deal, but this Active Living Task Force/
"Don't-call-it-a-Rec Center" charade.

If the deal is so good, why do these people look like they are at a funeral?



.

[Nadhal Eadeh]

Jim,

Good summary. From what you have heard from your sources, which council members are:

For the deal/against the deal?

Is anyone running against Madigan or Summers?

Nadhal

[Bill Call]

Maror Summers and Council women Madigan must know something about economics that no one else in the Country is aware of.

Health care jobs are the ONLY growth area in Northeast Ohio. Avon, Mentor and Brunswick are offering millions in tax breaks and infrastructure support to get Health care jobs. Cuyahoga County is spending $750 million on the Center for Health Care Innovation to grab a piece of the health care industry.

Lakewood?

Our City officials are all excited about losing 1,100 jobs, $100 million in economic activity and the convenience and value added benefit of Lakewood Hospital for a

tax eating recreation center that no one wants.

What do they know about economics that no one else knows?

If they are so sure of their analysis why do they have to lie about their plans?

Do you hide what you are proud of?

Do you lie about your plans if you really believe those plans are so great?

Who approved the looting of the Lakewood Hospital Foundation?

[Scott Meeson]

Maror Summers and Council women Madigan must know something about economics that no one else in the Country is aware of.

Health care jobs are the ONLY growth area in Northeast Ohio. Avon, Mentor and Brunswick are offering millions in tax breaks and infrastructure support to get Health care jobs. Cuyahoga County is spending $750 million on the Center for Health Care Innovation to grab a piece of the health care industry.

Lakewood?

Our City officials are all excited about losing 1,100 jobs, $100 million in economic activity and the convenience and value added benefit of Lakewood Hospital for a

tax eating recreation center that no one wants.

What do they know about economics that no one else knows?

If they are so sure of their analysis why do they have to lie about their plans?

Do you hide what you are proud of?

Do you lie about your plans if you really believe those plans are so great?

Who approved the looting of the Lakewood Hospital Foundation?

The Health Care Industry:

[Bill Call]

The Health Care Industry:
[/quote]

I like the storm analogy.

In this case while the storm rages and the crew works desperately to trim the sails, tie down the cargo and weather the storm the Captain and First Mate are in the bilge wielding axes in a attempt to create as many holes as possible.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

This has been my largest disagreement with you. You blame the Clinic, I blame our elected officials, that
were put in place through a democratic process that is the basis for America. We put our trust in them,
and they lied, coveruped, schemed, and channeled funds and events in this entire process.

Forget the Foundation, Forget for now the Hospital Association. Our elected officials, the very ones elected
to protect the city and serve the residents have schemed and plotted once again, against the very health,
and future of the City of Lakewood and the residents.

I expect the Clinic to act like a big nasty corporation. I expect the Clinic to protect their bottom line
and "profits" at every turn. But I do not expect democratically elected officials, lie to their colleges, tell
them half-truths and keep them in the dark, on the biggest "event" in the last 50 years in the city of
Lakewood. ON Facebook some have come on and said, "Well you know, the Association was made
private in 2008." Well yes I do, that was done so that the Association could deal in secret, under this
rule and wording...
"RESOLVED: that the LHA Board of Trustees hereby closes the meeting in accordance with Sec. 4.10 of the Code of Regulations of LHA because public discussion or action would be detrimental to the interests of the patients of Lakewood Hospital or the welfare of the residents of the City of Lakewood or Lakewood Hospital. "

One needs to wonder how a public asset that was found guilty of sunshine law violation would be able to
reform to use "detrimental to the interests of the patients of Lakewood Hospital or the welfare of the residents of the City of Lakewood" in their bylaws. They are their to protect us not harm us!

One can correctly argue that rules changed to skirt a law that is on the books to protect not just the
resident but the owners of the asset, can easily be challenged in court. I mean the privatization of
a public asset is bad, but to do it for illegal and immoral reasons!

Then we still have the Fiduciary Responsibility of our elected officials. No matter what or
how they break into executive session, they are there not only to represent us, but protect
us. They have failed miserably in that aspect of service.

Bill, it just occurred to me - The Clinic's business plans were well known. They are also
bound by Hippocratic oath, and HIPPA. However the very people we were trusting to not
just represent us, abut look out for us wrote into their bylaws, a rule for going secret
"when they might harm the residents of the City of Lakewood." WTF!

.

[Scott Meeson]

The Health Care Industry:

I like the storm analogy.

In this case while the storm rages and the crew works desperately to trim the sails, tie down the cargo and weather the storm the Captain and First Mate are in the bilge wielding axes in a attempt to create as many holes as possible.[/quote]

Bill,

Very Nice!

You should like the storm analogy, your ship has been taking on "red ink" for some time now. Do you think there is a "bilge" capable enough from sending your ship to the bottom of the sea floor?



Oh...the memories:

[Bill Call]

[quote="Scott Meeson"]
Bill,

Very Nice!

You should like the storm analogy, your ship has been taking on "red ink" for some time now. Do you think there is a "bilge" capable enough from sending your ship to the bottom of the sea floor?[quote]


Lakewood Hospital had operating losses of

$670,000 in 2013

and

$4.3 million in 2012

But had net PROFITS of

$1.3 million in 2012

and

$5.4 million in 2013.

In 2013 Lakewood Hospital had NO long term debt and

$132 million in net assets.

Lakewood Hospital had a positive cash flow from operating activities. The Hospital made money even after the Cleveland Clinic:

Transferred the most profitable segments to Fairview and Avon

and

Steered non paying customers to Lakewood Hospital

The Hospital was not in immediate short term financial difficulty. While the Hospital faced long term financial problems those problems are DIRECTLY the result of the Hospital Board and the Cleveland Clinic's desire to dismantle the Hospital.

If both were committed to its survival the hospital would be thriving.

We also need to consider that in 2012 and 2013 the Cleveland Clinic took $47 MILLION from Lakewood Hospital in so called administrative charges. Without those spurious charges the Hospital would be VERY profitable.

The Clinic did not run Lakewood Hospital they looted it.

http://www.onelakewood.com/pdf/Lakewood ... alStmt.pdf

The Lakewood Hospital Foundation has $34 million in assets. If you add those assets to the $132 million in hospital assets you have an institution that:

Makes money and has $166 million in assets

BUT

the Mayor wants to replace it with a tax eating recreation center

[Scott Meeson]

Bill,

Very Nice!

You should like the storm analogy, your ship has been taking on "red ink" for some time now. Do you think there is a "bilge" capable enough from sending your ship to the bottom of the sea floor?

Lakewood Hospital had operating losses of

$670,000 in 2013

and

$4.3 million in 2012

But had net PROFITS of

$1.3 million in 2012

and

$5.4 million in 2013.

In 2013 Lakewood Hospital had NO long term debt and

$132 million in net assets.

Lakewood Hospital had a positive cash flow from operating activities. The Hospital made money even after the Cleveland Clinic:

Transferred the most profitable segments to Fairview and Avon

and

Steered non paying customers to Lakewood Hospital

The Hospital was not in immediate short term financial difficulty. While the Hospital faced long term financial problems those problems are DIRECTLY the result of the Hospital Board and the Cleveland Clinic's desire to dismantle the Hospital.

If both were committed to its survival the hospital would be thriving.

We also need to consider that in 2012 and 2013 the Cleveland Clinic took $47 MILLION from Lakewood Hospital in so called administrative charges. Without those spurious charges the Hospital would be VERY profitable.

The Clinic did not run Lakewood Hospital they looted it.

http://www.onelakewood.com/pdf/Lakewood ... alStmt.pdf

The Lakewood Hospital Foundation has $34 million in assets. If you add those assets to the $132 million in hospital assets you have an institution that:

Makes money and has $166 million in assets

BUT

the Mayor wants to replace it with a tax eating recreation center

Good Morning, Bill.

A few comments:

If you want a hospital that has to rely on investment earnings from, what has been, a dwindling base of cash and investments to keep the place running for a period of time...so be it! But does that paint a picture of long-term viability to you?

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that profitable segments of Lakewood Hospital were transferred to Fairview and/or Avon .

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that Lakewood Hospital Association and/or Cleveland Clinic has directed or guided a majority of our residents to other area hospitals.

I have not read or heard anything that would prove Cleveland Clinic steered non-paying patients to Lakewood Hospital. Though, Obama Care has created a nice version of insured--high deductible--non paying patients: https://www.carepayment.com/healthcare- ... providers/

Those $47 million in administrative charges: If I apply Senator Skindell's understanding of the duties and responsibilities of Ernst and Young(auditors), the auditors certainly would have pointed out that the administrative charges were "spurious."

Toby was recently on the air:
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000364242

I'm still listening and reading....so I guess I'll see what develops.

Scott

[Jim O'Bryan]

Good Morning, Bill.

A few comments:

If you want a hospital that has to rely on investment earnings from, what has been, a dwindling base of cash and investments to keep the place running for a period of time...so be it! But does that paint a picture of long-term viability to you?

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that profitable segments of Lakewood Hospital were transferred to Fairview and/or Avon .

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that Lakewood Hospital Association and/or Cleveland Clinic has directed or guided a majority of our residents to other area hospitals.

I have not read or heard anything that would prove Cleveland Clinic steered non-paying patients to Lakewood Hospital. Though, Obama Care has created a nice version of insured--high deductible--non paying patients: https://www.carepayment.com/healthcare- ... providers/

Those $47 million in administrative charges: If I apply Senator Skindell's understanding of the duties and responsibilities of Ernst and Young(auditors), the auditors certainly would have pointed out that the administrative charges were "spurious."

Toby was recently on the air:
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000364242

I'm still listening and reading....so I guess I'll see what develops.

Scott

Scott

You know it occurred to me so much of this sounds negative. And there are so many business leaders, civic leaders,
and elected officials in this, how could it be so negative? I get it, it is rough reading, Call, O'Bryan, Markling, and it
really sucks when they are right. I get it.

So in an effort to turn this discussion around...

What are you favorite three things n the deal?

Just from what you have heard, no "facts" needed.

What are the best three features you have heard in this deal?

Or one?

peace

.

[Scott Meeson]

Good Morning, Bill.

A few comments:

If you want a hospital that has to rely on investment earnings from, what has been, a dwindling base of cash and investments to keep the place running for a period of time...so be it! But does that paint a picture of long-term viability to you?

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that profitable segments of Lakewood Hospital were transferred to Fairview and/or Avon .

I have not read or heard anything that would prove that Lakewood Hospital Association and/or Cleveland Clinic has directed or guided a majority of our residents to other area hospitals.

I have not read or heard anything that would prove Cleveland Clinic steered non-paying patients to Lakewood Hospital. Though, Obama Care has created a nice version of insured--high deductible--non paying patients: https://www.carepayment.com/healthcare- ... providers/

Those $47 million in administrative charges: If I apply Senator Skindell's understanding of the duties and responsibilities of Ernst and Young(auditors), the auditors certainly would have pointed out that the administrative charges were "spurious."

Toby was recently on the air:
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000364242

I'm still listening and reading....so I guess I'll see what develops.

Scott

Scott

You know it occurred to me so much of this sounds negative. And there are so many business leaders, civic leaders,
and elected officials in this, how could it be so negative? I get it, it is rough reading, Call, O'Bryan, Markling, and it
really sucks when they are right. I get it.

So in an effort to turn this discussion around...

What are you favorite three things n the deal?

Just from what you have heard, no "facts" needed.

What are the best three features you have heard in this deal?

Or one?

peace

.

Jim,

It's all still developing but:

1) The overall opportunity to reenergize and transform one of our vital gateways to the downtown area of
Lakewood.

2) The opportunity to redevelop some prime parcels of land in downtown Lakewood

3) Replacement of an antiquated hospital with a state of the art outpatient facility.

4) The possibility of utilizing other(LHA & LHF) non-profit entity assets to create wellness opportunities for the residents.

5) And the fact that our Lakewood Hospital Association trustees have been proactive in finding potential solutions
to the modern day demands and needs of our segment of healthcare in Northeast, Ohio.

Gosh darn...it's all so exciting, Jim!

Scott

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim,

It's all still developing but:

1) The overall opportunity to reenergize and transform one of our vital gateways to the downtown area of
Lakewood.

2) The opportunity to redevelop some prime parcels of land in downtown Lakewood

3) Replacement of an antiquated hospital with a state of the art outpatient facility.

4) The possibility of utilizing other(LHA & LHF) non-profit entity assets to create wellness opportunities for the residents.

5) And the fact that our Lakewood Hospital Association trustees have been proactive in finding potential solutions
to the modern day demands and needs of our segment of healthcare in Northeast, Ohio.

Gosh darn...it's all so exciting, Jim!

Scott

Scott

I think you read me wrong. I do not believe we need a hospital. I would be happy with a state-of-the-art Clinic run Health
Care Center. I am not upset over the chance to redevelop prime real estate downtown. I am on record saying the Mayor
and the Hospital Board would be negligent had they waited until 2026. I am their dream constituent.

It very well be a great opportunity for our future.

I use this line often, more often than I like. The FBI believe that any business that comes out of an illegal action to be an illegal business.

I am not saying anyone did anything illegal, but the entire process smells.

The final outcome smells, and is just too convenient for me.

And the middle part is nearly a $200 million dollar loss in 6 months for the City of Lakewood.

I do not like public officials lying, or even misleading, but to do so to cover up a terrible deal?!

This was the essence of the post, a ton of this deal to not like, but maybe, just maybe there is something good there.

FWIW


.

[Scott Meeson]

Jim,

It's all still developing but:

1) The overall opportunity to reenergize and transform one of our vital gateways to the downtown area of
Lakewood.

2) The opportunity to redevelop some prime parcels of land in downtown Lakewood

3) Replacement of an antiquated hospital with a state of the art outpatient facility.

4) The possibility of utilizing other(LHA & LHF) non-profit entity assets to create wellness opportunities for the residents.

5) And the fact that our Lakewood Hospital Association trustees have been proactive in finding potential solutions
to the modern day demands and needs of our segment of healthcare in Northeast, Ohio.

Gosh darn...it's all so exciting, Jim!

Scott

Scott

I think you read me wrong. I do not believe we need a hospital. I would be happy with a state-of-the-art Clinic run Health
Care Center. I am not upset over the chance to redevelop prime real estate downtown. I am on record saying the Mayor
and the Hospital Board would be negligent had they waited until 2026. I am their dream constituent.

It very well be a great opportunity for our future.

I use this line often, more often than I like. The FBI believe that any business that comes out of an illegal action to be an illegal business.

I am not saying anyone did anything illegal, but the entire process smells.

The final outcome smells, and is just too convenient for me.

And the middle part is nearly a $200 million dollar loss in 6 months for the City of Lakewood.

I do not like public officials lying, or even misleading, but to do so to cover up a terrible deal?!

This was the essence of the post, a ton of this deal to not like, but maybe, just maybe there is something good there.

FWIW


.

Jim,

Could you refresh my memory and tell me how that $200 million dollar loss was arrived at? And have you been able to confirm the potential of such a loss with anyone( LHA trustees, consultants, hospital officials, elected officials) involved with this deal. $200 million dollars is a very big number!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow Night:

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Monday, March 30, 2015 6:00 PM

The Committee of the Whole will meet Monday, March 30, 2015, at 6:00 PM. in the Auditorium of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. The agenda is as follows:

General conversation about the "Letter of Intent” submitted to Council by the Lakewood Hospital Association (LHA), the Lakewood Hospital Foundation (LHF), and Cleveland Clinic. (Referred 1/20/15)

Conversation will focus on Family Health Center and potential development in the downtown and beyond; effect on current projects; other economic development considerations.

Speakers:
Dru Siley, Planning and Development Director
Patty Ryan, President, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Ian Andrews, Executive Director, LakewoodAlive

Mary Louise Madigan, Chair
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
_______________________________________________________________________________

Scott

[Jim O'Bryan]

Tomorrow Night:

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Monday, March 30, 2015 6:00 PM

The Committee of the Whole will meet Monday, March 30, 2015, at 6:00 PM. in the Auditorium of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. The agenda is as follows:

General conversation about the "Letter of Intent” submitted to Council by the Lakewood Hospital Association (LHA), the Lakewood Hospital Foundation (LHF), and Cleveland Clinic. (Referred 1/20/15)

Conversation will focus on Family Health Center and potential development in the downtown and beyond; effect on current projects; other economic development considerations.

Speakers:
Dru Siley, Planning and Development Director
Patty Ryan, President, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Ian Andrews, Executive Director, LakewoodAlive

Mary Louise Madigan, Chair
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
_______________________________________________________________________________

Scott

The monkeys should figure out, if they are keeping with their original story...

OMG the Clinic is moving out, we will try to do something in response, we just found out January 10!!!!!!

Now they are bringing in "PLANNING" which is laughable enough.

I can't wait to see what Ian Andrews ads to the conversation. Are we to believe the residents were not contacted, but
LakewoodAlive was?

Finally in getting to PROOF, and of course you realize proof is tough when those doing it, only speak in half truths to cover
up the truth, and stonewall public record requests. Which is what lead to this post, if you have to lie, cover up and confuse
how damn good is the deal?

Back to facts...

Lakewood Hospital departments transferred or closed since 2005: services and revenue lost
Pediatrics
Trauma
Neurologic
OB/Obstetrics
Oncology (cancer)
Pain Management
Pathologist – no frozen section
Physician Precertification Program
Thoracic surgery (lungs)
Open Heart Surgery
Interventional Cardiology (stinting) 70% of Hospital profits come from Heart Service line
Electro Physiology (complex pacemakers)
GI Gastro Intestinal lab
In patient Psych

Facility Upgrades at Lakewood Hospital no need to raze the Hospital
Atrium
Orthopedic unit
Rehab unit
Emergency Room
ICU- Intensive Care Unit
CCU-Cardiovascular Care Unit

From a doctor with the Clinic.


.

[Bill Call]

From a doctor with the Clinic.

Several Clinic doctors mentioned in detail the services that were transferred from Lakewood Hospital. They mentioned that the first services transferred were those services that have not seen a big cuts in insurance and Medicare reimbursements. They also mentioned that something like 10% of patients represent 80% of revenue and that services offered to those patients are the most profitable and were the first to be transferred out of Lakewood.

A couple of years ago I talked to an employee of a major independent doctors group who told me that Lakewood Hospital made it very difficult for them to do surgeries at Lakewood. At the time she said something like, "It's almost like they don't want us there".

The Mayors favorite reporter at the Plain Dealer wrote an article that included a list of questions and answers about the closure. The questions did not include any of the questions people are actually asking. It's the illusion of transparency.

The Mayor did say that the people of Lakewood do not use Lakewood Hospital. That's an odd statement.

The Mayor intends to destroy the Hospital and no fact will stand in his way. There has to be a reason. All the reasons given so far are just not believable.

This whole thing is a slow motion train wreck.

I can see trading a Hospital for something better but for a recreation center?