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Wellington, Kan. —
Last night, a rare joint work session between the Wellington City Council and the Sumner County Commissioners took place at Wellington City Hall.
The topic of the work session was Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC). The two governing bodies got the chance to review the results from a recent survey about the Wellington hospital. The results of the survey were positive, and the two governing bodies sat down to discuss what's next.
What the hospital said
In 2011, SRMC had net loss of $177,499, with a net loss from operations at $460,549. While those numbers seem drastic, they are an improvement from 2010, when those numbers were $1,609,668, and $1,888,827. SRMC President and CEO, Dr. Bob Bean presented those numbers at the work session, attributing the improvement to the hospital's decrease of bad debt and charity care, and reduction of expenditures among other reasons.
One of the main issues listed on an SRMC Fact Sheet at the session was that the hospital is seeing fewer patients, and they are receiving less for the patients that are being served. Another problem is the shift in the medical world with patients choosing to be treated outside of hospitals. National health care reform is also hurting smaller hospitals like SRMC.
SRMC has employed a variety of methods in an effort to counter the problems. There have been pay reductions, hiring freezes, and more aggressive collections policies. They are continuing to look at creative revenue production and cost saving opportunities.
The discussion
It was brought up several times, by a members of each governing body, speaking on their own behalf, that they would do anything to keep the hospital from going under.
The City of Wellington has answered pleas from SRMC. Over the last 18-months the City has granted an abatements for the hospitals utility bills in an effort to keep the facility afloat. Wellington Mayor Roger Stallbaumer brought up the County sales-tax increase, and inquired if any of those funds could be used for SRMC.
The County Commissioners, Cliff Bales (district 3) and Jim Newell (district 2) were present for the work session, absent was Steve Warner (district 1). Newell said when the half-cent sales tax was brought up by the commissioners, "the City of Wellington was never discussed as far as their needs or wants." He also pointed out when that discussion was taking place, he had no idea the hospital was in jeopardy.
The commissioners added that the sales tax money could go to a hospital, but that they have heard from numerous groups, organizations and entities around the County who have had federal funding reduced or cut all together. They noted that if they started "paying the rent" for one, they would have to do it for them all.
Last night, a rare joint work session between the Wellington City Council and the Sumner County Commissioners took place at Wellington City Hall.
The topic of the work session was Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC). The two governing bodies got the chance to review the results from a recent survey about the Wellington hospital. The results of the survey were positive, and the two governing bodies sat down to discuss what's next.
What the hospital said
In 2011, SRMC had net loss of $177,499, with a net loss from operations at $460,549. While those numbers seem drastic, they are an improvement from 2010, when those numbers were $1,609,668, and $1,888,827. SRMC President and CEO, Dr. Bob Bean presented those numbers at the work session, attributing the improvement to the hospital's decrease of bad debt and charity care, and reduction of expenditures among other reasons.
One of the main issues listed on an SRMC Fact Sheet at the session was that the hospital is seeing fewer patients, and they are receiving less for the patients that are being served. Another problem is the shift in the medical world with patients choosing to be treated outside of hospitals. National health care reform is also hurting smaller hospitals like SRMC.
SRMC has employed a variety of methods in an effort to counter the problems. There have been pay reductions, hiring freezes, and more aggressive collections policies. They are continuing to look at creative revenue production and cost saving opportunities.
The discussion
It was brought up several times, by a members of each governing body, speaking on their own behalf, that they would do anything to keep the hospital from going under.
The City of Wellington has answered pleas from SRMC. Over the last 18-months the City has granted an abatements for the hospitals utility bills in an effort to keep the facility afloat. Wellington Mayor Roger Stallbaumer brought up the County sales-tax increase, and inquired if any of those funds could be used for SRMC.
The County Commissioners, Cliff Bales (district 3) and Jim Newell (district 2) were present for the work session, absent was Steve Warner (district 1). Newell said when the half-cent sales tax was brought up by the commissioners, "the City of Wellington was never discussed as far as their needs or wants." He also pointed out when that discussion was taking place, he had no idea the hospital was in jeopardy.
The commissioners added that the sales tax money could go to a hospital, but that they have heard from numerous groups, organizations and entities around the County who have had federal funding reduced or cut all together. They noted that if they started "paying the rent" for one, they would have to do it for them all.
"I'm not sure what the answer is," Bales said. "But there will be survivors and non-survivors."
Members of the City Council said the hospital is not only vital for Wellington, but for the County. The SRMC Fact sheet reads 1/3 of all the hospitals inpatient admissions are from towns other than Wellington.
"I guess that would be my main hope, is that you guys please consider the hospital when you are working your budget around," the mayor said. Both governing bodies were encouraged that they were meeting with one another, but it's clear that much more discussion will have to take place on the subject.
There are no other joint work sessions scheudled at this time. The next City Council meeting will be Feb. 9, and the commissioners meet Monday and Tuesday of each week unless it is a county designated holiday. The meetings begin at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the County Commission Boardroom located on the first floor of the Sumner County Courthouse.
