Keller Stalls Again?

Hell, We'll Kill Ya Hospital

By the time RegionalCare is allowed to build its new Lauderdale County facility, there will be no need for a maternity ward. In 2108 all infants will be delivered via test tube.

Yes,  the Keller Hospital appeal hearing is now set for early May; however, sources say the Colbert County bully has hired even more attorneys who will (surprise) not be ready by this date. This is not a capital case. This is not even a criminal case. It is fast becoming the basis for a class action lawsuit against Keller. All those who feel their health is in jeopardy due to these delays should band together and let Keller know just what a lawsuit really is.



Shoalanda

A Keller Delay?

So Helen Keller Hospital, in its bid to appeal a new hospital in Lauderdale County, has struck again. To refresh your memory, RegionalCare won the right to build a new facility in East Florence. Keller then appealed, and the date for the hearing was set for March 14th. In the interim, Keller hired a new attorney, one H. Lewis Gillis, who had a previous commitment that prohibited him from attending the appeal hearing.

Keller has won their delay. Now Mr. Gillis will be making those big bucks that he loves so much in a bankruptcy hearing. We can't blame RegionalCare for being just a little ticked. Shouldn't Keller, or at least Gillis, have to pay ECM a little fine? Take the staff out to dinner at the 360? Something?



Shoalanda

Dewey the Dip Dumbs it Down

Lauderdale County Commision Chariman Dewey Mitchell, who wants to dip into the proceeds from the sale of the old Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter to the tune of 50% while not paying 50% of the upkeep, now says it's premature to think about the eventual fate of the old ECM Hospital building.Does he know something we don't know?

He specifically mentioned the Keller Hospital lawsuit seeking to bar any new construction by RegionalCare. Does he think there will be no new hospital?

Perhaps he thinks it's premature to consider uses for the ECM building when it will not be available for three to four years. We have it on pretty good authority that it's always good to plan that far ahead even in private life, much less public.

Or perhaps Dewey is waiting for someone to tell him what to think?



Shoalanda

Kellergate Is Now

From a concerned resident of Lauderdale County:

1) The people of Lauderdale county and their leaders need to petition the governor to intervene and encourage the CON board to act upon the original request for 300 beds. The more the better. We can all make a difference if we call or write to his office. If he is serious about helping create growth and jobs in Alabama, this is a no-brainer.

2) If the businesses in Colbert county will not support the growth and stimulus that this would add to the community, then don't support them with your dollars either. Let them know that if they continue to support the efforts by HKH to stifle this project, that you can spend or send your dollars elsewhere as well. Let's face it, pocketbooks talk. We saw in the TD yesterday where some businesses left Colbert county to open in Lauderdale because up to 2/3 of their customers were from Lauderdale county. We can use that to our benefit. 

3) Let your physician know that that you support this project and encourage him to do it as well. they don't have to practice or admit to the hospital to know that what is good for the community will be good for them.

I think the reason for all of the ads by the HH and HKH administration has been to solely place the blame on RegionalCare when they decide not to build a hospital. They know that Regionalcare will not build a 220 bed hospital to replace a 350 bed facility. That is why they have never openly said they did not want a hospital, only a smaller one. This way they save face and make it look like RC is the bad guy. One of their own commissioners made the statement in the hearing that they would have no problem with it if it was being built in Colbert county.

We agree with our commenter 100%. In the past we have supported Colbert County (and Franklin and Limestone) in any endeavor. Now we're presented with the hard cold truth that Colbert not only doesn't support Lauderdale County, but has placed a knife in the county's back. Note the last paragraph of our reader's comments; hence the title Kellergate.

We realize not all citizens of Colbert County oppose the new hospital, but a financial boycott seems to be the best way to make Lauderdale's voice heard. Our readers may do as they please. My personal expendable income will no longer be spent in Colbert County.



Shoalanda

Here Come Da Judge...

...and he said a smaller hospital in Lauderdale County and no cancer center. This is only the administrative law judge's recommendation. Will the Certificate of Need Review Board agree? We'll find out in three weeks.

*****

Why Is This Man So Happy?

*****

Just what of the new cancer center? It was opposed by Alliance Oncology which currently operates two facilities in the Shoals. Are they hurting for business? This is from their website:

AO is the leading provider of radiosurgery nationwide operating more than 30 radiation therapy centers, over half of which are dedicated radiosurgery facilities. Our joint-venture model represents the industry’s future. We are distinguished by our hospital-based partnership strategy running the gamut from small community-based hospitals to large academic hospital partners.

Sounds like they're quite successful...especially at controlling the competition.

*****

We occasionally see articles like this. We've never been sure of their origins, but we surmise an original article was translated into the Crazierthanstan language and then back into English. It makes for humorous reading nonetheless:

Hospital Statute Is Due Today

*****

We like the new Sparky's sign on their redesigned eatery. This should clear up the spelling. Good luck, and God save us all from bad drivers.



Shoalanda

Who Pays for Keller's Hired Guns?

Last February, Helen Keller Hospital presented their expert witnesses who stated RegionalCare's new hospital in Lauderdale County, at least if built as currently planned, would negatively impact HKH. One such witness was Gadsden's Gary Griffin of Gary Griffin and Associates. Griffin is a self-termed general business consultant.

We're sure it's hard to specialize in some fields, but we're also sure there are some companies who do specialize in offering business advice to the health care field. Perhaps these companies are situated outside the state of Alabama? Perceptions? Perhaps they charge too much? Possibility. Who's paying for this hired gun?

How long did it take to come up with an "expert" who would predict doom and gloom for Keller if RegionalCare builds the new hospital? What would Griffin have said if hired by RegionalCare? Do we have to protect Keller at all costs? How about faith healer Madam Zora who also needs to make a living?

Hospitals are not like fast cash payday loan establishments. There will never be one on every corner of a U.S. Highway in any incorporated town. Sadly, today hospitals do bear a striking resemblance to big business, but we haven't seen that many restrictions placed on Microsoft recently.

Tomorrow will be interesting...

*****

While re-reading the testimony of Gary Griffin, we notice he also commented on new ECM cardiovascular surgeon Constantine Athanasuleas. Griffin stated the new surgeon looked to be 67, a little long in the tooth to use as a building block for a surgical program.

Dr. Athanasuleas is only 62. Wanna bet Gary Griffin doesn't make friends easily?



Shoalanda