Tulare County Grand Jury foreman Chuck White is out of control. He issued a “final report” about the new Tulare hospital months before the end of the grand jury’s term – when such reports are usually published – clearly for political reasons. He did this without bothering to get all the facts, then issued a report filled with inaccuracies. His recent letter to the editor showed his bias against the hospital. Not only is his commentary inappropriate for a grand jury foreman, it is filled with errors and spreads misinformation.
He claims the hospital is hiding facts and the current Board won’t explain what happened with the $85 million from the first bond. He said the bond oversight committee was not provided reports on expenditures.
All of these accusations are blatantly false. The District cooperated with the grand jury throughout the process, and continues to do so. Records show the $85 million went to expenses related to the new hospital. Bond oversight committee minutes show the committee did receive financial reports. Yes, prior Boards and construction management made mistakes. Clearly, the number of change orders indicates project managers lacked focus and attention to detail.
From the outset, it was known that $85 million would only be enough to get the project started and that a new round of funding would be needed. The Bond Oversight Committee was diligent in making sure all monies went toward construction. It was not their fault a new four-story, acute-care hospital could not be built for $85 million.
The unfortunate result of Mr. White’s false accusations is they detract from what is really going on at Tulare’s hospital.
When I joined the Board, our hospital was facing bankruptcy and closure. The hospital was losing about $1 million a month. We had less than 25 days cash on hand and the tower project was bleeding $750,000 per month in soft costs.
As a Board, we slashed construction-related expenses, reduced our project management cost from $750,000 per month to $85,000 per month by placing Jack Stones in charge and terminated Harris Construction. Stones tore off the shrink wrap and finished the exterior. Inside isn’t just an empty shell. There are walls with piping for oxygen and power. We have tangible progress for our money.
As we decided whether to declare bankruptcy or try to save the hospital by bringing in a management company, I thought of almost 550 employees whose livelihoods were in the balance, the property owners who would be required to pay off the $85 million bond and what the loss of an acute care hospital would mean to our economic health and personal health.
In 1919, the state chartered 78 district hospitals. In 2013, there were only 38 of them operating acute care hospitals. Like many of the closed 40, we would be purchased in a bankruptcy, the acute care hospital and emergency department would close and we would be lucky if left with a clinic or two. So we chose HCCA as a management partner and it has delivered: 25 months of positive financial stability; contracts favorable to the hospital rather than vendors; experts in all areas of hospital management from all over the country now working for our hospital in Tulare.
Before HCCA, the hospital had been operated in chaos. We had seven CEOs in 10 years. Board members constantly fought among themselves. Boards sued former hospital CEOs and accountants. The current Board works together. We guided our institution from chaos to stability and improved service. Patients are treated in a warm, professional and loving manner. The building is old, but the care is exceptional.
I have had surgery there twice. I am 72 and, like most of you, need a hospital close by. If I have a stroke (and God knows with all this pressure I just may!), there is a short-time window to get the drug that will save me from death or paralysis. Our neurologists telecommute with emergency doctors to assess eligibility for the drug. I doubt I could make it to another hospital and be assessed within that time window. We all need a local acute care hospital for strokes, heart attacks and serious trauma.
This Board and HCCA have set the stage for a 21st century medical center. Our modern new hospital will attract the best and brightest doctors, improving our quality of care.
Let’s all pitch in and pass Measure I.
June 18, 2016
Visalia Times-Delta
By Laura Gadke, member of the Tulare Local Health Care District Board of Directors
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