HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121081.tiff Esther Gesick
From: Bruce Barker
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 9:59 AM
To: CTB
Subject: FW: Dear Commissioner:
Include as a communication for Monday's meeting. Thanks.
Bruce T. Barker, Esq.
Weld County Attorney
P.O. Box 758
1150"O" Street
Greeley, CO 80632
(970) 356-4000, ext. 4390
Fax: (970) 352-0242
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From: Barbara Kirkmeyer
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 9:41 AM
To: Bruce Barker
Subject: Fw: Dear Commissioner:
From: Keith Thompson [mailto:thomke@ovhs.orgl
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 07:48 AM
To: Barbara Kirkmeyer
Subject: Dear Commissioner:
Dear Commissioner:
I have practiced medicine in Weld County and at North Colorado Medical Center for 19 years.I am writing to share my
dismay with the county commission and their management, or lack thereof, of our hospital. Your handling of the
paramedic service is just the latest example.
While I have not always agreed with NCMC or its management team, it was-until Banner's arrival-always a true county
hospital which was there for all the physicians and residents of the area.I understand the Commission is charged with
supervising Banner so that the hospital is run for the benefit of the county and its residents.You have failed in this task.
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2012-1081
The NCMC,Inc. Board, intended to protect the county's interests at NCMC, has been completely co-opted by Banner so
that it serves only as a rubber stamp. The staff has become almost exclusively Banner employed.The physicians can refer
only in the Banner network. Employees must see Banner doctors only. Referrals for home health, durable medical
equipment, etc.don't go our Weld County businesses but to Banner (of Phoenix, Arizona).I would very much like to hear
the Commission's rationale as to how this best serves the interest of Weld County and its residents.
While I could write off the above changes to inattention/neglect on the part of a very busy county government, the no-
bid gift of our ambulance service to Banner is much harder to explain.You have gifted county assets and services to an
Arizona company without entertaining bids. How does this fulfill your fiduciary obligations to our citizens to maximize
the effect of their tax dollars?Why would you announce a deal you had already concluded and then offer to receive
public comment?You certainly give people cause to suspect your intentions when you conduct public business in this
way.
I do not know how much of the damage you have allowed to be inflicted on our hospital can be undone.It is now a
virtually worthless asset for the county, as it is strictly a Banner facility run for the benefit of Banner. No other
management company could come in at this juncture, as the assets largely belong to Banner.
The sale of our ambulance services should be halted immediately, public discussions held and bidders solicited.If Banner
is the winner of a fair and open process, so be it.If you have reason to fear a fair and open process,you should complete
this deal and sign over what's left of the county's interests in NCMC to Banner.
Keith S.Thompson,MD
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