The Observation Deck

Here's an exchange from that lengthy Nextdoor thread which is now approaching 200 posts. I'd like to see the Juris and/or Build participation I invite here, but I'm not optimistic.

Shawn Juris from Downtown Lakewood 4h ago
I wouldn't say we went with our gut. We looked at every angle and made a decision based on the realities of the situation. What we have now is a group of folks with questionable motives who are stating opinions as fact and presenting impractical solutions. I don't like analogies but here's one anyway. It's like a Browns fan who questions why they don't just pick the top 55 guys in the draft or convince all pros to play for free because they personally believe they are entitled to a winning team. Sure if you disregard reality the possibilities are endless. However the suggestions are fantasy and should not be taken seriously.

Dan Alaimo from Kauffman Park Just now
"a group of folks with questionable motives"
Who do you mean? I am a homeowner concerned that losing the hospital will negatively impact the value of my home. I am a taxpayer concerned that the loss of income tax revenues from hospital jobs will result in either a tax increase or service cuts. I am a potential user of local hospital services, and concerned that they will be gone. That describes most of those sympathetic to SLH.

I asked questions about the RPF process early on and received no answers (it isn't mentioned in the "frequently asked questions" that started this thread); later I found that "nobody else was interested" claim was not true because of the Metro offer. Also I am involved with a local park group and I'm concerned that the development fever will spread there - again. Are those questionable motives?

Does a nurse or doctor have questionable motives? Does an attorney married to a doctor have questionable motives? Does a Republican, Democrat or Independent have questionable motives? Or does someone in the employ of the City government have questionable motives? Are the only pure motives to be found on City Council? I'll say again, everybody has an interest, that's why this is such a hot topic.

I see numbers posted elsewhere that have not been directly addressed. You know where and what they are, and that you or someone else will have to go to the Deck to answer them. Since I have not studied the materials closely, I decline to present them - I'm not qualified. But I'd like to see a side-by-side comparison with the Build numbers, along with explanations.

I'm not unreasonable. I could have been convinced by the Build side early on, and still could be, but I see them consistently sidestepping the hard questions. Meantime, I intend to work for the referendum.
(I'm going to copy this and the previous comment over to the Deck to get feedback there.)

At least Shawn Juris responds. Even though they are not interested in a discussion or the issues you can post this there if you think its useful, I can't figure out Nextdoor:


When Metro made its offer to operate Lakewood Hospital they pointed out that Metro breaks even on Medicaid reimbursement rates. Medicaid reimbursement rates are about 66% of Medicare reimbursement rates nationwide. In Ohio Medicaid reimbursement rates are about 61% of Medicare reimbursement rates.

http://kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator ... fee-index/


Lakewood Hospital had a positive cash flow and was profitable even with the $24 million in annual administrative fees charged by the Clinic. The Clinic increased administrative fees by 285% from 2002 to 2014.

Administrative fees were 6% of revenue in 2007. Administrative fees were increase substantially after the decanting plan was initiated. Those fees increased from 6% of revenue in 2007 to 21% of revenue in 2014. In 2002 administrative fees were 2% of revenue.

Metro or other providers would not be burdened by the Clinics massive overhead costs and inefficiencies. Profit practitioners routinely charge less for similar services and do not charge facility fees.

Metro or other providers would have made a substantial profit at Lakewood Hospital.

In 2014 Lakewood Hospitals revenue came from the following sources:

43% Medicare

11% Medicaid

38% Managed care and commercial insurance

11% Self pay

Metro would have broken even on 11% of Hospital revenue and made a substantial amount of money on the rest.

It is important to keep in mind that the Mayor and the LHA made no effort to properly market the Hospital. The Mayor told people point blank that he only wanted to deal with the Clinic.

Private practice physicians and specialists would have been eager to due business at Lakewood Hospital if given the chance.













The Hospital was not only profitable it was well positioned to modernize and expand.




The Hospital had $54 million in liquid assets.

The Hospital had no debt.

The Lakewood Hospital Foundation had $33 million in assets set aside for improvements and support for Lakewood Hospital.







$87 million in cash, no debt and a profitable business in and excellent location.




A loan of $100 million to finance a new bed tower over a 20 year period would cost about $7 million per year. About 33% of the total administrative fees charged by the Clinic.

Bill, PM me here or on Facebook (or something) and I'll try to help you get on (I hesitate to post my email or phone number here, or anywhere). I really don't want to be the monkey in the middle. Getting on Nextdoor depends on where you live. If you are not in a Nextdoor neighborhood, you can start one. I see that's what Mr. Rick did. I see we are friends on Facebook. I'll send you a brief message there.

In April Mr. Juris told me that he would never agree to the non-compete--that was a deal breaker for him.

So in his final public act, he lacked credibility and broke his word.

Why?

Brian Essi wrote:In April Mr. Juris told me that he would never agree to the non-compete--that was a deal breaker for him.

So in his final public act, he lacked credibility and broke his word.

Why?

Brian

You seemed confused, people that hate themselves hate others.

Shawn championed no benches for seniors, and laughed when the senior community shuttles were stopped by RTA.

Yet championed buses for drunks.

Most of us think, typical.

.