The Observation Deck

There is an LHA meeting this afternoon, apparently to vote on accepting the new Master Agreement. As it was posted here, many of you have had a chance to read it. It raises more questions than it answers.

It is a 95 page document ans much of it is surprisingly vague for a legal document. Many of the figures in the document appear to be "guesstimates," and are not guaranteed to be accurate. Many of the "payments" that CCF are supposed to make are spread out over a period of years, diminishing their real value.

What became of the fixtures and equipment in the hospital, that belonged to Lakewood Hospital, NOT the Cleveland Clinic? Who "has" them or where are they going? What was their value and why were they apparently not considered?

We guarantee CCF that no other health care provider will be able to operate on that land. What guarantee has CCF made to us to continue to provide health care? If they decide they can't operate a FHC profitably, they can leave or reduce services further. Where are OUR guarantees?

Most importantly, who is to assume the risk or liability if the "deal" does not work out as planned, costs exceed estimates, or if there are other events not foreseen that may impact the implementation of this plan? From looking at that document, its likely that Lakewood is assuming the major risk.

Has the LHA spent sufficient time to thoroughly and carefully consider this "agreement" such that the citizens of Lakewood are adequately protected? Has there ever been independent verification of the numbers related to the value of the land and the assets that are being handed over to CCF? Are we protected from the risk that the mayor seemed so eager to avoid?

Finally, the rapidity with which this is being pushed to be "signed" and done is concerning. Who would be comfortable signing a legal document without a complete understanding of the obligations and ramifications? Are LHA members adequately versed in financial and legal language to be able to vote to accept this 95 page document, which was just recently released, without consultation with expert counsel?

You are asking questions the Mayor has refused to answer.

You asking questions the Council has refused to ask.

How can Council put on First Reading - a document they have not yet read??? The Master Agreement was only REFERRED TO, followed by blank pages - in the Ordinance Council proposed on Monday Dec. 7.
The Master Agreement was not available until Tuesday December 8.
How can you have a first reading if you haven't read it?

They read it at their "secret" meeting, you know, the one with the CCF police standing guard at the doors. It appears that in January, one of these fine upstanding members of the LHA will become a Lakewood council person.

Mary Louise Madigan would not answer the following question at last night's City Council Meeting:

Has everyone on City Council actually read the 95 pages of the Master Agreement?

Hmm...mmm...mm.

I really don't think it matters whether or not all council persons read it. This has been the plan for a long, long time. It appears it turned out just as I predicted months ago that it would: all of council are willing participants.

The last council meeting (12/14) was pretty incredible. Very impassioned talk and the major says absolutely nothing the whole time in response to any of it. That's the leadership we've got for four more years.

cameron karslake wrote:The last council meeting (12/14) was pretty incredible. Very impassioned talk and the major says absolutely nothing the whole time in response to any of it. That's the leadership we've got for four more years.

And that's the one thing that has so thoroughly cheesed-off so many of us who have been following the issue closely.
If I could ask one question and get a straight answer it would be, why the insistence on the Cleveland Clinic and not even talk to others who expressed interest?

I think it is a waste of time to keep beating to death the question of why Council and Summers did not consider any other health care entities for Lakewood Hospital. There was NEVER a plan to allow open bidding for our hospital. It has been the plan by Summers, Council and CCF from the very beginning to put through what appears to be not only an unethical, but, possibly illegal deal. I believe this plan was in place prior to the decanting of the hospital.

Not a waste of time in my view. I think "why Cleveland Clinic?" is the mother of all questions concerning the hospital. It relates to RFP process, the money, the acceptance of a medical clinic/ER, the December rush to approve the deal, the decanting, the economic impact on the city, and so much more. It's odd that given the long contract CCF wanted to get out of, the city couldn't use it as leverage to get a better deal or something better from other health care companies, or that they wouldn't consider the better deals they were offered.

Unfortunately, I don't think our council is going to answer anyone regarding this issue (truthfully anyway).

Dan,

To me, the "why the Cleveland Clinic?" is easy to understand, given the hierarchy in this region.

I think there is a general perception in this area that the CC is THE game in town. They are currently the city of Cleveland's largest employer and the number 2 employer in the state of Ohio.

They have carefully crafted the image of the "world class" healthcare provider, as well. It is many people's opinion or perception that they are a desirable company to work for, and partner with. There is also the perception that they are extremely rich and politically powerful and will get what they want in the end, so why bother trying?

Whether they are true or not, it is hard to counter those beliefs, especially when the local media and politicians encourage that perception.

There are people that have written about the weaknesses of the Clinic, their safety issues and Federal violations, and their relentless campaign to bolster their image even when the quality of care does not match the hype, but it is lost in the rhetoric and chest pounding of "we have a great institution right here in Cleveland!"

I have no idea how these attitudes and beliefs can be countered - they are so ingrained - but they most assuredly enter into the dynamic of the conversation.

Bridget, It has occurred to me that our leaders might be star struck about the Clinic. Maybe that's not far fetched.
I also think there are behind-the-scenes legal forces at work related to tortious interference.

I believe it appears that there is something in it for our council members, Summers and their buddies if they go along with the CCF deal. It appears that they all want to push this deal through before the end of the year so that Mary Louise can get her reward before she leaves council.