The Observation Deck

Bill Call wrote:The Cleveland Clinics announcement that Lakewood Hospital is closing did real damage to the finances of the Hospital this year but that is independent of market forces.

Bill

Thank you for keeping to the facts, I am trying to keep this clear as Brian Essi and Build
Lakewood's Jim Kenny discuss the facts. So please post elsewhere. They said they would
not come in because of "attacks" which don't really exist, but in an effort to continue the
search for truth on this we started in September 2014, I will keep this one to FACTS.

The Mayor Announced The Hospital was closing, the Clinic was merely at the meeting. It
happened at City Hall, and was completely handled by Mayor Summers, where he said at
least 3-Times "This was my idea, not the Clinic's."

This is the single biggest misconception in the entire debacle.

The "RFP" Request for Proposal, came from the mayor.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Thank you for keeping to the facts, I am trying to keep this clear as Brian Essi and Build Lakewood's Jim Kenny discuss the facts. So please post elsewhere. They said they would not come in because of "attacks" which don't really exist, but in an effort to continue thesearch for truth on this we started in September 2014, I will keep this one to FACTS.

The fact is that the Cleveland Clinic has been undermining Lakewood Hospital for years.
The fact is that the Cleveland Clinic wants to move Lakewood's business to Avon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... _dX6y_t4d0

The Mayor and his friends on the LHA and LHF saw that in 10 years or so the Clinic would leave Lakewood Hospital an outdated facility without any customers.

If the Clinic wanted the Hospital to stay open they wouldn't be sabotaging its business.

Jim Kenny,

Here are a few simple questions for you as Build Lakewood's spokesman:

1. Who and what caused Lakewood Hospital to hemorrhage so much cash shortly after the announced closing when it was profitable up until that point?

2. Why does the BuildLakewood.org website claim "Make no mistake about it, what is being proposed by the Cleveland Clinic and the Lakewood Hospital Foundation is a hospital under Ohio law." and then it sends visitors to a link of an Ohio statute that shows it in not a hospital under Ohio law?

3. If Lakewood Hospital is such a failure, why should City Council and Lakewood residents accept a solution proposed by the very people whose previous plans and operational oversight resulted is such a failure?

Brian,
Thank you for that epic post on page two. The amount of information in that is incredible!

Your 1000s of hours on this issue is doing a world of good, getting the information out to those of us who care.

Jim Kenny/Build Lakewood

tick, tick, tick, tick

On our joint search for the truth, you guys are starting to fall behind with some truthful answers...

tick, tick, tick, tick

Just saying, I would hope we can get through those so we can talk about the background
of some of the key players and committee members.

Of course Jeff, will need to use his real name over here instead of "Build Lakewood." But we
are a pretty good forgiving group.

So let's get this search for the truth going, because I would hate to think the VERY POSITIVE
group that is searching for the truth, gave up because it was an inconvenient truth.

TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK


.

All: Thanks for the appointment; however, please know that I'm not a spokesperson for Build Lakewood. I am an Observation Deck participant who is on record for endorsing the Build Lakewood campaign. I'm afraid someone here was too quick to draw a conclusion based on two data points. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify this misnomer.

I’ve had a busy week that still hasn’t ended. That said, I’ll gladly review this thread later and return responses before the close of the weekend. Thanks again for inviting me to participate.

Jim Kenny wrote:All: Thanks for the appointment; however, please know that I'm not a spokesperson for Build Lakewood. I am an Observation Deck participant who is on record for endorsing the Build Lakewood campaign. I'm afraid someone here was too quick to draw a conclusion based on two data points. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify this misnomer.

I’ve had a busy week that still hasn’t ended. That said, I’ll gladly review this thread later and return responses before the close of the weekend. Thanks again for inviting me to participate.

Jim

Over here we are all just Observers. Which means we all have different beliefs.

I was excited because of the amount of respect you and Brian had, so does this mean
we can continue our search for the truth?

.

Update: Jeff Rohrs - Build Lakewood person high up, in not an Organizational way and
I met Saturday for about an hour. Little time was spent on Build/Save or whatever. He
was filling me in on his background, and making sure I understood no one "speaks" for
Build Lakewood.

Until a "spokesperson" can be found we are more than happy to work with concerned
resident and Build Lakewood Member Jim Kenny and concerned resident Brian Essi.

Of course both sides, no make that all sides, are more than welcome to share, fact, rumor,
beliefs, and OBSERVATIONS.

I think Brian has something cooking on the truth front for this coming week.

.

[quote="Brian Essi"]Jim Kenny,

Here are a few simple questions for you as Build Lakewood's spokesman:

1. Who and what caused Lakewood Hospital to hemorrhage so much cash shortly after the announced closing when it was profitable up until that point?

2. Why does the BuildLakewood.org website claim "Make no mistake about it, what is being proposed by the Cleveland Clinic and the Lakewood Hospital Foundation is a hospital under Ohio law." and then it sends visitors to a link of an Ohio statute that shows it in not a hospital under Ohio law?

3. If Lakewood Hospital is such a failure, why should City Council and Lakewood residents accept a solution proposed by the very people whose previous plans and operational oversight resulted is such a failure?[/quote]


All: thanks for indulging me with your patience. Life has gotten in the way of my participation here. I’m also grateful to say so did a small measure of fun, as the running performance of my wife and I put the “Meltdown” in the name of last night’s race sponsored by LakewoodAlive.

In response to Brian’s above pointed questions, I offer:

1) I share your disappointment in the financial hemorrhaging at Lakewood Hospital. I can’t point to any one individual who I can say is responsible. The fact that it was profitably operated last year does make me take pause, as I’m on record for being critical of Lakewood Hospital Association’s management for the last 15 years. I now tip my hat to them because they kept their heads above water in a fading market (inpatient hospitals), as we all know the trend line they are facing (operating in a market with an oversupply of beds, a reducing need for inpatient stays as a result to continual improvement surgical outcomes, a widening service geography and the pressing need for recapitalization).

But if you insist I place blame somewhere, I’ll put it squarely on the citizens of Lakewood. Why? We have not helped this process. We’ve been an impediment. The Letter of Intent (LOI) is not a proposal. It only frames the discussion that the Cleveland Clinic would like to have with our City’s administrators and asks City Council to allow it to proceed. The products of that discussion will be the proposal, which we can pick apart, debate and turn down or accept. After I learned this, I was compelled to get involved in the discussion and help our neighbors sort through the issues.

2) As you’ve likely learned by now, I can’t speak for Build Lakewood. I do endorse its efforts to encourage City Council to accept the LOI and allow our citizens the chance to consider specifics and not hyperbole. But if you’re struggling to understand how the next facility will be a “hospital under law,” I suspect it is someone’s interpretation of that law that contrasts with your understanding of it. Like many laws, interpretations change from when these laws were originally cast. Changing markets and values will do that. When this one was written, our collective health care needs were most likely drastically different. Thanks to continuously improving surgical outcomes, we can redefine what hospitals are per the needs that these must serve. That’s the beauty of our nation’s system of law. It’s not static. If it was, our gay neighbors wouldn’t now enjoy their God-given right to marriage.

3) Again, we don’t have a proposal. City Council needs to endorse the LOI so we can have one to consider. Why should we trust LHA? They are who we’ve collectively appointed to do as much. Thus, we should be doing everything to support them, to give them confidence and reduce the burden, so that they can produce the best possible outcome. Fighting them, tearing them down, and accusing them of malfeasance before they’ve really even started is not helping any one of us. This is why I blame us (citizens) for the financial hemorrhaging of Lakewood Hospital. Sadly, it’s really a metaphor of the bleeding of community equity that each of us has invested so much to foster a place we call home.

Lastly, Jim O’Bryan, thanks for this forum and for encouraging my participation. I honor and share your desire for the truth. I’m here to encourage that we allow the truth to come forward. It can once City Council endorses the LOI and allows discussions of a proposal to take place. Once a proposal is offered, we can challenge the logic, the pricing and the benefit and costs. We can also refuse or accept it. Without an acceptance of the LOI or some movement forward, we are all vulnerable to fear, uncertainty and doubt and -- worse yet -- those who exploit these feelings.

Let’s end the hemorrhaging once and for all and let's look to the future. Thanks.

Jim Kenny wrote:

The fact that it was profitably operated last year does make me take pause, as I’m on record for being critical of Lakewood Hospital Association’s management for the last 15 years.

But if you insist I place blame somewhere, I’ll put it squarely on the citizens of Lakewood.

Did you really write that?

How do the citizens of Lakewood have ANY blame for this mess? Were we privy to detailed financial and operating information during these last few years? Was the public consulted or asked to participate? Were we given ANY information on the hospital's supposed plight?

Last I heard, the Vision for Tomorrow painted a rosy picture, assuring us the hospital was solvent and growing into the 21st century. Now they claim the exact opposite of what was publicly pronounced.

Asking for answers is NOT impeding anything. The board had a fiduciary duty to properly manage that facility. If they did not, it is our civic DUTY to ask WHY NOT? Asking the board to be held accountable for their actions is the RIGHT thing to do, the CIVIC thing to do. It is our right and responsibility as citizens.

How dare you claim that citizens asking questions are IMPEDING anything.

Jim,

As Bridget has addressed your first point, let me discuss your second and third.

In your response to Brian's second question, you claim that the definition of "hospital" under Ohio law is not static and is subject to change over time. As a legal matter, this is simply not true. As Brian previously explained, R.C. 3727.01(B)(2) defines a "hospital" as an institution "in which are provided to inpatients diagnostic, medical, surgical, obstetrical, psychiatric, or rehabilitation care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours." As far as I know, there has been no claim by anyone that the Family Health Center will be an inpatient facility, as there will be no beds. The only way someone is staying there more than 24 hours is if they hide in a utility closet. Moreover, R.C. 3727.01(B)(2) goes on to explain that a "hospital" is not "the office of any private licensed health care professional, whether organized for individual or group practice, or a clinic that provides ambulatory patient services and where patients are not regularly admitted as inpatients." Again, I believe it has been made very clear that the Family Health Center will not be an inpatient facility. Tellingly, the facility will not continue to be named "Lakewood Hospital" - it will a Family Health Center. Unless the Ohio General Assembly redefines the definition of "hospital" to include facilities that do not admit inpatients, the proposed Family Health Center is not a hospital.

In response to Brian's third question, you state: "Why should we trust LHA? They are who we’ve collectively appointed to do as much. Thus, we should be doing everything to support them, to give them confidence and reduce the burden, so that they can produce the best possible outcome." This is incredible. We should trust them simply because they are the LHA? I have a hard time believing that if, say, you had reason to believe that your financial adviser was mismanaging your money, and maybe stealing it, you would continue to support him/her and not look into the matter or replace him/her simply because, I guess, that's who you hired to be your financial adviser so. If you hired someone to look after your house and discovered that she planned to demolish your house, replace it with a shed, and use the rest of your property for a swimming pool and soccer field you would continue to support this person? I find this hard to believe.

Why should we continue to trust and support public officials who lie to us? When presented by Brian Essi with multiple instances where the Mayor and other LHA members have said things that were not true, your defense of them is basically (and I am paraphrasing) "well, they believed what they were saying was truthful." Certainly, when judging one's character, it is better to be incompetent that deceitful. But, when it comes to public officials, neither is acceptable. Whether the Mayor and LHA are lying to us, or simply have no idea what's going on, neither scenario inspires any confidence. Your position is that we should support the Mayor and LHA because we are stuck with with what we have. While I vehemently disagree with your position, I certainly respect your choice. I, however, believe that when those in positions of public trust fail to protect the public interest, we should look to elect/appoint others who will.

Jim Kenny,

You have dodged 2 of my 3 three questions:

1. You dodged my first question by saying you don’t know who is responsible, but you then blame the citizens of Lakewood for losses caused since we are “impediments”. Please note that on May 13, 2015, Shannon Richie (President of Lakewood Hospital) and other CCF administrators said the losses were the result of: (1) termination of Lakewood’s cardio cath program; and (2) the “general announcement” of the closing of the hospital. Richie sent letters to thousands of hospital patients saying the hospital was closing and he terminated the cardio program in February, 2015—that was one of the most lucrative programs that Lakewood had left. Summers and Tom Gable announced the closing of Lakewood Hospital on January 15, 2015—even CCF admits that this caused losses. If the LOI was passed in February or even tomorrow those losses would still continue through the date the hospital closed.

So will you concede that CCF, LHA and Summers are all responsible for those losses?

2. Sean Koran did a better job than I can on your dodge of my second question, but please also note that you wrote: “Thanks to continuously improving surgical outcomes, we can redefine what hospitals are per the needs that these must serve.” Summers’ water Bill Letter: ”This proposal does not include overnight medical beds or outpatient surgery”. So Jim, this is not subject to legal interpretation or debate—there will be no inpatient beds or surgery so it is not a hospital.

Will you agree that the new facility is not a “hospital” by the definition Build Lakewood has on its website?

Will you concede that the Build Lakewood’s claim that it is a “new hospital” is false and misleading?

3. Your answer to my third question didn’t work well for me—I spent part of April and May trying working with and support the trustees-- I wrote them a lengthy analysis with thoughtful requests on May 13th:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13373&hilit=beneficiary%27s

Many were angry and insulted, their lawyer and the CCF attorneys asked them not to speak with me and me not to speak with them. I received no response. Ironically, on June 4, 2015, they voted not to renew the LOI—a begrudging acceptance of one point I had made to them.

Jim, would you agree that if and when the LOI etc fails at Council, we will all look back and wish we had taken steps to change leadership at LHA and reinstate programs and services at Lakewood Hospital?

[quote="Brian Essi"]Jim Kenny,

You have dodged 2 of my 3 three questions:

1. You dodged my first question by saying you don’t know who is responsible, but you then blame the citizens of Lakewood for losses caused since we are “impediments”. Please note that on May 13, 2015, Shannon Richie (President of Lakewood Hospital) and other CCF administrators said the losses were the result of: (1) termination of Lakewood’s cardio cath program; and (2) the “general announcement” of the closing of the hospital. Richie sent letters to thousands of hospital patients saying the hospital was closing and he terminated the cardio program in February, 2015—that was one of the most lucrative programs that Lakewood had left. Summers and Tom Gable announced the closing of Lakewood Hospital on January 15, 2015—even CCF admits that this caused losses. If the LOI was passed in February or even tomorrow those losses would still continue through the date the hospital closed.

So will you concede that CCF, LHA and Summers are all responsible for those losses?

2. Sean Koran did a better job than I can on your dodge of my second question, but please also note that you wrote: “[i]Thanks to continuously improving surgical outcomes, we can redefine what hospitals are per the needs that these must serve[/i].” Summers’ water Bill Letter: ”[i]This proposal does not include overnight medical beds or outpatient surgery[/i]”. So Jim, this is not subject to legal interpretation or debate—there will be no inpatient beds or surgery so it is not a hospital.

Will you agree that the new facility is not a “hospital” by the definition Build Lakewood has on its website?

Will you concede that the Build Lakewood’s claim that it is a “new hospital” is false and misleading?

3. Your answer to my third question didn’t work well for me—I spent part of April and May trying working with and support the trustees-- I wrote them a lengthy analysis with thoughtful requests on May 13th:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13373&hilit=beneficiary%27s

Many were angry and insulted, their lawyer and the CCF attorneys asked them not to speak with me and me not to speak with them. I received no response. Ironically, on June 4, 2015, they voted not to renew the LOI—a begrudging acceptance of one point I had made to them.

Jim, would you agree that if and when the LOI etc fails at Council, we will all look back and wish we had taken steps to change leadership at LHA and reinstate programs and services at Lakewood Hospital?[/quote]

Hi Brian: Please accept I've done my best with limited knowledge to share my understanding so that I can learn more. Please, however, refrain from accusations that I've dodged or done more than try to contribute what I know. Please understand that this behavior of yours is discouraging others from participating, and they can possibly bring great light to this debate. Again, please, stop.

In response, I can say:

1) When I say Lakewood citizens are failing us, I include me. Yes, I'm part of the problem; hence, the use of "we." That's why I stepped up. I knew I was failing my neighbors. I like to hold myself in higher opinion, yet need to act to counter these feelings.

Brian, you cite communications that you know that might have contributed to the consolidation of services elsewhere once provided by CCF at Lakewood Hospital; however, I recognize that these are just likely a fraction of exchanges because the dynamic of consolidation of hospital services has been underway for decades. We can't stop it, nor can we create markets for Lakewood Hospital to serve. It's simply beyond our leverage. Let's get out of the hospital business.

2) The average inpatient stay has dropped dramatically since the legal definition was casted and will continue its decline. I'm recognizing that others see this fact in their interpretations and asking that you be respectful and not condemning when evaluating it, as this is where our collective growth is found.

3) Whenever I've called people liars and guilty of speaking "mistruths," I've been avoided too. Brian, it's called feedback. It doesn't mean you're right. It just means others don't believe they can work with you to find the truth. I believe in you, which is why I continue to respond.

Brian, I will support what the community wants and needs next. I've repeatedly stated as much, as I want what serves all of us. I'm asking City Council to take such leadership. I'm asking them to represent us, so I know how to support them, how to give them confidence and how to encourage them to produce an outcome that is best and serves the whole. I've been consistent in this pursuit, and I ask that you and others join me. Thanks.

Jim,

I did not the trustees liars back on May 23th---I said they were mistaken to sign the LOI and had improper legal counsel---That is a self evident FACT.

The truth may hurt, but it is still the truth.

Summers/LHA CCF argued in a legal filing filed July 10th:

“The Lease was created to allow LHA to successfully manage Lakewood Hospital in a changing healthcare environment” Page 9. They admit healthcare has been changing for 20 years and the Lease was a vehicle to change with it. So their concocted story about “change” being the foundation of the LOI is a fraud—the Lease already serves that purpose.

I hope you will eventually see how you are mistake too.

The narrative of "inpatient" changes as the cause of doom and gloom is bunk. That is but one ongoing trend--technology changes didn't leap frog over Lakewood Hospital since the 2010 "Delusions for Tomorrow". It was a scam Ed Fitz Summers, Madigan Bullock and Butler others bought into because they didn't get the right advice. Just like the scam at play now. Do you think that these fine leaders want to admit their mistakes?

"Time makes more converts than reason." Thomas Paine 1776 Common Sense.

There are other real motivations and agendas at play that trump any ongoing nominal changes in healthcare.

" But if you insist I place blame somewhere, I'll put it squarely on the citizens of Lakewood" - Jim Kenny

Mr. Kenny, Thank you for your honesty and for the insight into Team Summers/Build Lakewood. We're now witnessing how effortless it is to make the transition from misleading constituents to blaming them.