School District Pays, While CCF Receives Free Medical Space at LHS And Much, Much More.

[Brian Essi]

On Monday Night, School Board Members Petrie Barcelona and Tom Einhouse introduced a resolution to approve the attached agreement without making the agreement public.
Einhouse remained silent while Petri Barcelona went on to say: "Other than providing space, there is no cost" to the School District. NOT SO Ms. Petrie Barcelona and Mr. Einhouse.

As you read the following document concerning the so-called "Cleveland Clinic Health Center" inside LHS, pay close attention to the following phrases:
"CCF may..."
"School District shall..."

This agreement is a classic CCF document---CCF commits to almost nothing and the other party--in this case the School District will be obligated for a mountain of costs.

I can tell you that in my experience in managing a medical facility, there are a lot of costs and liabilities associated with every one of those "School District Shall.." phrases.

Lakewood In-School Clinic MOU 9.5.17.pdf

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[Stan Austin]

No cost to the District? One of the recurring, unanswered questions is what it the cost to the student and by extension the student's family. There have been varying stories of different kinds of insurance being accepted or not.

But let's set up this ordinary scenario: a student, feeling ill goes to the teacher and the teacher advises/tells the student to go to the medical center. The student does so and is treated. What if the student's family has no acceptable (to the CCF) insurance? Is a very large, unexpected bill sent to the student's parents or guardians? Can one everyday, normal school experience all of a sudden turn into an unanticipated bill of hundreds of dollars the proceeds of which go to the CCF which apparently is using public property rent free and benefiting from non competitive referrals?

[Brian Essi]

No cost to the District? One of the recurring, unanswered questions is what it the cost to the student and by extension the student's family. There have been varying stories of different kinds of insurance being accepted or not.

But let's set up this ordinary scenario: a student, feeling ill goes to the teacher and the teacher advises/tells the student to go to the medical center. The student does so and is treated. What if the student's family has no acceptable (to the CCF) insurance? Is a very large, unexpected bill sent to the student's parents or guardians? Can one everyday, normal school experience all of a sudden turn into an unanticipated bill of hundreds of dollars the proceeds of which go to the CCF which apparently is using public property rent free and benefiting from non competitive referrals?

Sheriff "Andy" Austin,
(FYI, That's a title of affection and respect I give you for for your avuncular status on the Deck and your prior public service)

I have no good answer to your question because, this attached agreement is "Clinic-esque"--very slippery. Like the 1996 Definitive Agreement, the Master Agreement and a number of other Clinic agreements I've had to read and interpret over the years, they can be befuddling and there are always "unanswered questions" that only work to the Clinic's benefit--nothing is ever straightforward with them.

For example, I was told that the primary purpose for the "Student Based Health Center" was to help the less advantaged students. Can you find one term is this agreement that says or does that?

[Lori Allen _]

This new revelation is very troubling, just when I felt it could not get any worse.

The lack of public bidding and transparency combined with the fact that Cleveland Clinic uses this space rent free makes this all very fishy, in my opinion.

I implore those that also feel this is "fishy" to not sit around and complain. Do something.

Since this involves public funds, you may file a complaint with the Ohio Auditor of State via the below methods. Be sure to mention how public funds were used to build these schools and that CCF is apparently using this space and making a profit rent-free:

Write a letter to:

Ohio Auditor of State
88 E. Broad St. PO #1140
Columbus, Ohio 43215

You can also e-mail: siucomplaints@ohioauditor.gov. You can also report it online via a handy form here: https://ohioauditor.gov/fraud/default.html

While it will almost certainly do no good, you may also feel free to write or e-mail Superintendent Jeffrey W. Patterson, along with all members of Lakewood Board of Education and express your displeasure with this decision. Again, while it may feel useless, this at least creates a public record.

Please take a moment to write to these entities regarding this situation. Complaining here is a great way to vent frustrations (and is also great for upsetting Mr. Summers), but "talking the talk" means you also must "walk the walk."

[cmager]

I have no good answer to your question because, this attached agreement is "Clinic-esque"--very slippery. Like the 1996 Definitive Agreement, the Master Agreement and a number of other Clinic agreements I've had to read and interpret over the years, they can be befuddling and there are always "unanswered questions" that only work to the Clinic's benefit--nothing is ever straightforward with them. For example, I was told that the primary purpose for the "Student Based Health Center" was to help the less advantaged students. Can you find one term is this agreement that says or does that?

Mr. Essi, I can answer that! It's right there in the very first "WHEREAS" on Page 1 of the MOU >>> and NEVER to be mentioned again in the entire document! Classic CCF - no need to read past Page 1. Trust...

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[Brian Essi]

I shared Clinic's agreement with a well respected physician (not a pediatrician) and he wrote:

"Wow. Talk about a vehicle to remove all independent pediatricians and family practice docs [from Lakewood]. No reference to already existing relationship between the student and an existing physician. No guarantee that the residents and nurse practitioners have physician oversight. Wow."

[Kate McCarthy]

My read was that there is lots of paperwork that needs to be signed off on before CCF will see a child. Am I wrong? I would not have signed off on that, though we were sucked into CCF via the athletic program where our daughter was referred to a CCF NP or PA with an office in Lorain County, who, in my opinion was worthless. And a waste of our time and money.

This is all about patient capture. If any health system should be housed at the high school it would be Metro Health, a public health system that accepts most insurance, both public and private. Is there still time to thwart this deal? It sounds like a maybe lose, possibly lose, most probably lose proposition for Lakewood Schools. I didn't work on and vote for levies to subsidize space for private entities. I support my tax dollars going to public purposes and am less inclined to support tax increases when my tax dollars are being siphoned off to private entities. This is happening way too much in Lakewood.

[Bridget Conant]

Einhouse remained silent while Petri Barcelona went on to say: "Other than providing space, there is no cost" to the School District. NOT SO Ms. Petrie Barcelona and Mr. Einhouse.

Typical - a bald faced lie from another city official.

We are not blind and most of us can read, Ms Barcelona.

On page 5 of the agreement, it begins to set forth the District's "obligation" to the Clinic.

The school will provide not only the space it remodeled FOR the Clinic, RENT FREE, but must also provide:

Three designated and exclusive parking spaces near the building.

Secure Internet access for the CCF employees.

ALL necessary utilities -gas, electric, water, and sewer. In addition, they require that a generator be purchased for them for backup power requirements.

Provide, install, and maintain (!!) a security and swiping system for CCF employees. Also, provide a security camera and access to reports from the security services and video footage.

Provide proof of 3 million dollars of liability coverage and ageee to take responsibility for liability for its own actions pursuant to the agreement.

And the MOST scary thing - ACCESS to the student database and records.

What a deal! Wow, they want access to our kids to make even MORE money and we just can't wait to help make that possible spending TAXPAYER money to help them out!

Hey Lakewood, can you help out a poor taxpayer?

[Dan Alaimo]

I'm starting to notice that, in local matters where CCF gets involved, questions of transparency follow like night follows day.

[Brian Essi]

If any health system should be housed at the high school it would be Metro Health, a public health system that accepts most insurance, both public and private. Is there still time to thwart this deal?

Ms. McCarthy,

I believe there is time--There are two more readings at upcoming School Board meetings and interested folks should attend and express their opposition. At this Monday's meeting, Board Member Ed Favre spoke out very directly against the process that led to the agreement.

Based upon information I have been provided so far, if this "agreement" is approved, there is a high likelihood it could be overturned by legal action based upon violations open meetings laws and public bidding laws.

I am also led to believe that the School District could run into trouble with the Ohio School Facilities Commission related to the construction and maintenance of the space that seems to have been built based upon this "greased" agreement with the Clinic.

Along the lines that Mr. Kindt has written about concerning City Council, may I suggest that the School Board is exposing the School District to potential liability and waste of taxpayer dollars if it proceeds with this clearly flawed agreement based upon a clearly flawed process.

[todd vainisi]

Can there be an open bidding process for anything medical in Lakewood now with the non-compete in place?

[Bridget Conant]

The non-compete clause our leaders sought and delivered to CCF applies only to the use of the land and buildings on the hospital property.

The city has no power to make the entire city a "non-compete" area.

Oh wait, I take that back. LEGALLY they cannot do it. But in reality, their kowtowing to the Clinic has certainly delivered what the Clinic is seeking - a captive market.

[Mark Kindt]

Two points:

1. A likely hidden cost to the school system will be in terms of its present and future legal defense costs and possible liability risks for medical malpractice claims related to health-care services delivered on site.

2. I would also suggest that the School System is entirely "tone" deaf to the discontent of the taxpayers who rightfully resent the already negative impacts to our local tax-base from the needless liquidation of Lakewood Hospital.

As a citizen and taxpayer, I find the idea of our school system subsidizing the Cleveland Clinic Foundation completely objectionable. Just another transfer of public assets to private interests. The whole deal looks completely backwards.

Just how many more millions of taxpayer and community assets are the citizens of Lakewood expected to transfer to CCF?

In light of the Hospital disaster, the MOU just adds insult to injury.

[Lori Allen _]

I did not read page five of the agreement. This makes the entire deal even more fishy.

1. Lakewood City Schools must provide secure internet access for CCF to use? Really? I am guessing this means that the system must be more secure to prevent breaches of medical and HIPPA information, etc. How much will this cost taxpayers? I feel a public records request is in order when all is said and done. Also, how does the fiber-optic system that the mayor wanted factor into this? Was the $900,000 we already forked over for him not enough? Now we have to pay more money?

2. Lakewood City Schools must provide a backup generator? Really? Depending on the size and capacity of the generator, this could prove very costly.

3. Also, it looks like we will be paying utilities.

Again, very, very, fishy.

I will say it again. Don't just complain. Do something.

Since this involves taxpayer funds, I suggest complaints be forwarded to the Ohio Auditor of State - Fraud Division

Write to:

88 E. Broad St. PO # 1140
Columbus, Ohio 43215

You can also e-mail siucomplaints@ohioauditor.gov

In your complaint, be sure to enclose/attach copies of the agreement as evidence.

Folks, this is your money. Don't just sit around and complain. Do something.