The Observation Deck

One more time:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619752/metrohealth-clears-the-air-about-possibility-of-taking-over-lakewood

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2015/06/metrohealth_no_longer_interest.html (Letter from Metro Health to the Mayor included with this report)

Scott Meeson wrote:One more time:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619752/metrohealth-clears-the-air-about-possibility-of-taking-over-lakewood

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2015/06/metrohealth_no_longer_interest.html (Letter from Metro Health to the Mayor included with this report)

This is disappointing but not surprising.

The original Metro proposal:

1. Called for maintaining a full service, open medical staff hospital and comprehensive ambulatory care access through an innovative partnership between MetroHealth and Premier PLhysicians.

2. Metro would agree to direct lower acuity patients from Metro's main campus to Lakewood Hospital and align with the largest independent physician practice in Cuyahoga County to support Lakewood Hospital.

3. Make Lakewood Hospital a regional stroke center.

4. Make Lakewood Hospital a regional rehabilitation center and bring neurological and musculosketal rehabilitation (in patient and out patient) to Lakewood.

5. Expand patient services to include general services such as orthopedics, pulmonary,, cardiology and neurology as well as in patient rehab. Metro anticipated that up to 39% of Lakewood's current in patient capacity would come from admissions directed from Metro.

6. Metro would need only about of the total campus acreage leaving the other 60% available for a wellness center and community recreation center.

7. Additional clinical services would be supported through a collaborative, open structure for ALL independent physicians. It's no secret that the Cleveland Clinic had a policy of driving those independent practices and physicians out of Lakewood Hospital. Metro would bring them back.

8. Metro also outlined a further partnership with Premier Physicians.

9. Retain current employment levels.

10. Shift an estimated 8,600 patients and 485 births to Lakewood Hospital.

11. Consolidate approximately 61,000 of Metro's ambulatory visits to Lakewood Hospital.

12. Expected an additional 30,000 ER encounters

13. Metro proposed to "acquire" the assets of Lakewood Hospital and to commit to a long term agreement (including a long term lease).

14. Named its negotiating committee and indicated a strong desire to come to an agreement.

At a later date Metro even made an in person appeal to the City to accept its proposal.

Mayor Summers and the LHA REFUSED TO RESPOND.

At that point Metro withdrew its offer.

The Crains article is an excellent example of how this issue in being badly reported. The Metro proposal did not "fizzle" it was killed by Mayor Summers and the LHA.

And for what?

They haven't had anything to say to the people of Lakewood since the disastrous rollout of the Clinic proposal.

In response to that disaster the Mayor and LHA embarked on a campaign of deliberate destruction of the Hospital. Their goal is to make sure there is nothing left of a profitable and thriving business.

Is it spite?

The new Mayor may well have an economic disaster on his hands in 2016. Lets be clear about one thing:

That disaster is the fault of Mayor Summers and the LHA.

Bill Call wrote:That disaster is the fault of Mayor Summers and the LHA.

Bill, you left out the three council members that kept fellow council members in the dark.

Every day this goes on it gets uglier and uglier as more facts and emails are uncovered.

.

A few council meetings ago, I outright asked the mayor why he did not respond to MetroHealth's offer by the deadline. I am still waiting, as he refused to give me a clear answer (an answer that I'm sure I will never get). Regardless of what side of the issue you're on, I think we can almost all agree that Summers and Council want to deal ONLY with the Cleveland Clinic. I'm very disappointed with our city leadership (or lack thereof) due to the fact that they cannot seem to think or see clearly regarding the hospital. 1,100 jobs - gone. Once they go, clientele at our area stores, restaurants, shops, etc. will decrease. For what? A supposed rec center that I don't think a middle-class Lakewood resident could afford a membership to or a shared greenspace between Detroit and Franklin after we raze some homes, as has been rumored. Will there be another eminent domain fight in Lakewood? I agree with you Bill, that the LHA and Summers have been complicit in the destruction of the hospital. Ask a few of the employees. Periodically, I visit the hospital to see what is going on there. The upkeep is a disgrace. In my opinion, if the Board of Health were to go in there, I think they would deem it unfit. I think this has been the LHA's intention all along.

I believe that John Litten is on the LHA Board of Trustees. Although I can't prove it, rumor has it that he signed the Letter of Intent to close the hospital. I'm pretty sure he is running for City Council in Ward 3. It appears to me that this could be another Mike Summers/City Hall strategy to ensure the destruction of the hospital.

Just my opinion.

I suspect that Hospital Opponents will try to exploit this letter to advance their agenda, so I'd like to clarify a couple things:

*Metro's position has been consistent since January. The Mayor botched their initial proposal, and they've wanted to stay clear of political battles since.

*The City still has a contract with the Clinic through 2026. This process is a marathon, not a sprint.

*Metro was never the only other potential partner

*"Save Lakewood Hospital" continues to fight to protect this vital asset. Our group continues to grow...to learn more, visit our website www.savelakewoodhospital.org

Bill Call wrote:

Scott Meeson wrote:One more time:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619752/metrohealth-clears-the-air-about-possibility-of-taking-over-lakewood

http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2015/06/metrohealth_no_longer_interest.html (Letter from Metro Health to the Mayor included with this report)

This is disappointing but not surprising.

The original Metro proposal:

1. Called for maintaining a full service, open medical staff hospital and comprehensive ambulatory care access through an innovative partnership between MetroHealth and Premier PLhysicians.

2. Metro would agree to direct lower acuity patients from Metro's main campus to Lakewood Hospital and align with the largest independent physician practice in Cuyahoga County to support Lakewood Hospital.

3. Make Lakewood Hospital a regional stroke center.

4. Make Lakewood Hospital a regional rehabilitation center and bring neurological and musculosketal rehabilitation (in patient and out patient) to Lakewood.

5. Expand patient services to include general services such as orthopedics, pulmonary,, cardiology and neurology as well as in patient rehab. Metro anticipated that up to 39% of Lakewood's current in patient capacity would come from admissions directed from Metro.

6. Metro would need only about of the total campus acreage leaving the other 60% available for a wellness center and community recreation center.

7. Additional clinical services would be supported through a collaborative, open structure for ALL independent physicians. It's no secret that the Cleveland Clinic had a policy of driving those independent practices and physicians out of Lakewood Hospital. Metro would bring them back.

8. Metro also outlined a further partnership with Premier Physicians.

9. Retain current employment levels.

10. Shift an estimated 8,600 patients and 485 births to Lakewood Hospital.

11. Consolidate approximately 61,000 of Metro's ambulatory visits to Lakewood Hospital.

12. Expected an additional 30,000 ER encounters

13. Metro proposed to "acquire" the assets of Lakewood Hospital and to commit to a long term agreement (including a long term lease).

14. Named its negotiating committee and indicated a strong desire to come to an agreement.

At a later date Metro even made an in person appeal to the City to accept its proposal.

Mayor Summers and the LHA REFUSED TO RESPOND.

At that point Metro withdrew its offer.

The Crains article is an excellent example of how this issue in being badly reported. The Metro proposal did not "fizzle" it was killed by Mayor Summers and the LHA.

And for what?

They haven't had anything to say to the people of Lakewood since the disastrous rollout of the Clinic proposal.

In response to that disaster the Mayor and LHA embarked on a campaign of deliberate destruction of the Hospital. Their goal is to make sure there is nothing left of a profitable and thriving business.

Is it spite?

The new Mayor may well have an economic disaster on his hands in 2016. Lets be clear about one thing:

That disaster is the fault of Mayor Summers and the LHA.

Hello Bill,

I do have to chuckle about Metro Health, they have not exactly been the beacon of financial strength over some recent years. Plus, wouldn't you agree that they have much to do in the way of capital improvements for their very own facility? It's my understanding they have been laggards as compared to some of their peers as it pertains to construction of new hospitals and renovating of existing facilities. Maybe that has to do with their connection to Cuyahoga County? What was to be their source of funds for updating the bricks and mortar that the Lakewood owns (Lakewood Hospital)?

And Bill, patience is a virtue, they should have been a little more patient with LHA instead of setting a hard deadline of 10/1. THEY DID WITHDRAW THEIR PROPOSAL.

Scott