Comments on Advance Indiana™: Health & Hospital Corporation Says We Have No Choice But To Build New Hospital

AI - I was just passing on the information. I kno...

2009-07-14T08:04:51.712-05:00

AI - I was just passing on the information. I know I have had those two questions front and center in my reaction to the news.

You make a good point about the money - although Wishard takes in revenue from services, I am not sure the percentage.

As for favoring or disfavoring the referendum question, I personally will have to see proof of repayment of the bond without raising taxes. Not them just saying so. I am tired of taxing units making all manner of inacurrate statements prior to a building project commencing. Inaccuracies that always seem to understate the tax hikes involved - a nonrandom outcome it seems to me.

Jabber, The only federal stimulus dollars mentione...

2009-07-14T07:45:43.916-05:00

Jabber, The only federal stimulus dollars mentioned are access to government bonds at a reduced interest rate. This project was being developed 3 years ago without any thought of federal stimulus dollars. That's a bullshit argument that is being thrown out there now to justify building a new hospital now. Adding in interest costs, this project is still going to top $1 billion dollars. And it really doesn't matter who pays for the referendum, it is all coming out of tax-supported funds.

I learned last night that H&H will be paying f...

2009-07-14T06:52:00.139-05:00

I learned last night that H&H will be paying for the special election. Hopes are to limit the number of poll workers to 3 - inspector, one clerk and one judge - since this is a non-partisan election (usually there are 5 poll workers).

In addition, the 'rush' seems to be related to stimulus dollars. H&H was cited as indicating a loss of $50M in federal funding if they wait until next Spring for the referendum.

Thanks...jabberdoodle!! It still seems such a wa...

2009-07-13T19:30:00.889-05:00

Thanks...jabberdoodle!! It still seems such a waste of money to conduct the referendum on a non election day but your explanation seems to explain why it is even being held. I initially thought I would vote no but everyone I talk to seems to be in favor of it. I will have to listen to some more debate and see why it appears so popular.

artfuggins -- the law says that if a building proj...

2009-07-13T09:04:47.815-05:00

artfuggins -- the law says that if a building project exceeds $12M in cost to be paid with bonds, then there must be a public referendum. It does not make any requirement regarding the money used to pay off the bonds. I don't know why there was specific legislation inserted late in the special session for H&H - since there is no ban on referenda in non-election years. But, it is clear that the H&H board does not have to vote for a referendum election this year and could wait until 2010 to save the taxpayers the cost of the election - over $1M. Or they could use their savings account to pay for it.

I too must wonder why they have so much money in their savings account when they do request and spend property tax dollars every year.

The Winona reuse is an idea well worth exploring. I await details on how H&H can pay off the bonds without spending tax dollars and why they cannot reuse a facility that sits empty.

If that is true about naming the hospital the Juli...

2009-07-12T21:51:24.148-05:00

If that is true about naming the hospital the Julia Carson Memorial Hospital, I'm pretty disgusted. Win the argument on its own merits, HHC, or lose it, but don't try to ride on the coattails or the Congresswoman's memory.

My current employer paid insurance already tells m...

2009-07-12T19:25:07.113-05:00

My current employer paid insurance already tells me which hospital I must use, makes me select my primary care physician from their list and he can only refer me to certain specialists when needed. So what will be new????????

You may have a choice now, fuggins, but just wait ...

2009-07-12T17:34:33.861-05:00

You may have a choice now, fuggins, but just wait until YOUR (p)resident and congress get their way with health care.
Then you will go where THEY tell you to go. And when. And how often. And what treatment you may get. (If any.)

Keep that up, AI, and I will vote yes. You know ...

2009-07-12T15:19:50.862-05:00

Keep that up, AI, and I will vote yes. You know that I greatly admire and remember Julia Carson. Let her rest in peace.

You're really going to vote NO, Art? I heard t...

2009-07-12T14:48:59.989-05:00

You're really going to vote NO, Art? I heard they were planning to name the new hospital the Julia Carson Memorial Hospital.

Sorry, I mean "highly politically UNpopular m...

2009-07-12T14:36:54.280-05:00

Sorry, I mean "highly politically UNpopular move..."

This is going to be a highly poltically popular mo...

2009-07-12T13:04:33.859-05:00

This is going to be a highly poltically popular move made much, much worse by doing it as a special election. This goes to show what I've been saying all along. Bob Grand and Joe Loftus care nothing about the Marion County GOP or the poliltical future of the Mayor. They're trying to profit as much as they can and have their friends and clients profit during these next few years knowing Republicans have no chance of winning in 2011.

Of course, the other hospitals want a new Wishard....

2009-07-12T11:57:35.483-05:00

Of course, the other hospitals want a new Wishard. They dont want the indigent patients at their fancy hospitals. I have a choice and will use it. I will vote NO on this issue. I still dont understand if no tax money is going to be used, why do we need a referendum?

First, unless a new Wishard is built, the people t...

2009-07-12T11:18:02.900-05:00

First, unless a new Wishard is built, the people that want the land where Wishard currently sits can't get their hands on it.

Second, nobody can skim any money unless something new is built. In the last 10 years we've replaced our library, airport, Pacers Arena, and Colts stadium, for no reason in particular other than the insiders wanted to skim off millions.

Third, the county could buy the perfectly good St Francis/Beech Grove for $25 million.

I am not sure how being known for "big massiv...

2009-07-12T10:31:09.226-05:00

I am not sure how being known for "big massive hospital campuses" is a bad thing for Indianapolis. I like living here and knowing that I have the best medical care at my disposal.

Heres a thought, if the other hospitals dont want ...

2009-07-12T08:38:44.073-05:00

Heres a thought, if the other hospitals dont want to assume any of the indigent care. Let them lose the property tax exempt status. Look into the revenues of the ambulance service. Big loser!