HomeMy WebLinkAbout580123.tiff -
WELD COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL
Greeley, Colorado
October 2, 1958
A joint meeting of the County Commissioners and the Hospital's Board of Trustees
was held in the Board Room of the hospital on Thursday, October 2, 1958, at
1:00 p.m. Present were Mr. Rucker, Mr. McArthur, Mr. Clough, Mr. Nelson,
Mr. Linden. Mr. Warren. Mr. Andersen, Mr. Shultz, Mr. Cline, Mr. Fowler,
Mr. Hill and Mr. Stout.
Mr. Warren presided. He state} that the purpose of the meeting was to acquaint
the members of the Hospital Board with the fact that the Welfare Department's mill
levy limitation was being ex<peded. partially because monies used to reimburse the
hospital for care furnished the County's medically indigent patients were included
in the Welfare budget. As a result, two railroad companies are suing the County
on the grounds that taxes are exceeding the statutory limitation set for welfare
expenses.
Mr. Andersen pointed out that because of the re-evaluation of property values in
1953. the Colorado State Tax Commission had authorized an increase in the levy
ceiling. which included the cost of hospital care. The Commissioners expressed
the believe that, based on what information they had been able to obtain, the
courts would probably rule in favor of the County. Mr. McArthur wondered, if
this is the case. why we need to consider making a change in the presentprogram.
Mr. Warren stated that the Commissioners would like to get the cost of hospital
care out of the Welfare budget. Mr. Clough stated that the present program
is working out satisfactorily for both the hospital and the Welfare Department.
He asked ifthere is a legal way whereby the hospital funds might be set up in
another account and still have Mr. Cline screen patients and approve statements
for payment. Mr. Cline does not feel that he should approve the voucher covering
reimbursement for hospital billings.
Mr. Warren said that he had in mind a plan whereby the hospital would got a check
each month for its portion of levies collected. Mr. Hill believed that this might be
acceptable if the funds were deposited to a separate fund rather than the operating
fund. Mr. Warren believes that if the hospital were handling its own funds that
there might be a greater effort to get blood retuamd. for example, or to collect
something directly from the patient. Mr. Anderson asked if Mr. Cline would
still be expected to decide on the eligibility of such cases.
Mr. McArthur feels that county welfare patients must be certified by a third party.
He objects to the hospital setting up a discretionary program since it would work
a hardship on the hospital.
580123
1150007
-2-
Mr. Cline wondered if the administrative cost of culling out less than 5 per cent
- of the ineligible applicants is justified, Mr. McArthur asked if Mr. Cline's eystei.,
might not be modified to reduce the amount of administrative cost.
Mr. Clough feels that the Welfare Office is set up to screen Welfare patients
better and cheaper than could be done by the hospital. Mr. Hill stated that it
would be very costly for the hospital to establish a medical social program.
Mr. Warren inqui.red into the Boulder plan. Mr. Fowler spoke to the point, ex-
- plaining that a welfare case worker served as liaison between the Welfare Office
and County Hospital. It was noted, however, that because there are a number of
hospitals in Boulder. the two situations would not be comparable.
Mr. Warren believes that the State Tax Commission might be reluctant to approve
:more than 3 mills, regardless of the pending court ruling.
Mr. Clough stated that our Board certainly did not wish to compromise the Welfare
or levy programs. He suggested that because of the present emergency, it might
be well to set up a hospital levy and ask Mr. Cline to continue to process the
cases and statements for a period cif one year, after which time the matter could
be reviewed again.
Mr. Warren wondered if a . surplus hospital levy money might not be diverted to
the hospital's Building Fund at the end of the year. Mr. Clough thinks not. He
feels that these are separate programs and should be handled as individual accounts.
Mr. Clough questioned the proposed 3/4 of a mill levy for the hospital as being
adequate. Mr. Cline reported that the trend points to a much lower figure for
hospital cases. The amount spent in 1957 was $182,000 and the projected figure for
1953 is $147,000.
Mr. Warren stated that the 1 1/2 mill levy for the new hospital wing will have to be
a. special levy. He spoke of the need for a public relations program in support of
this new project, stressing that the additional levy is only temporary and will be
withdrawn when the wing is paid for. The hospital agreed to get out some publicity
on this subject.
In general, it was concluded that we would try to set up a program whereby the
hospital levy will be separated from the Welfare levy but not bec ome a part of
the operating fund. Mr. Cline would continue to handle the mechanics of screening
nd approving payment for hospi 1 care for welfare patients,
3/4 mill hos, 1 ,levy or other county fr+%ds
w
to cover the coot of this are. -Zap L*c a�
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
, JOINT MEETI?$ OF THE COUNTY COMM'S.
AND THE HOSPITAL'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE
HOSPITAL ON THRUS. OCT. 2, 1958, AT
1:00 P.M.:
I
11
J ,1
Hello