Re: [North Georgia Democrats] What is the Lumpkin County Hospital Authority doing?

Julie RobinHood Rambo commented on your post in North Georgia Democrats. Julie RobinHood Rambo 9:30am Jul 29 I work in hospitals. With few exceptions, they operate in 1980s style management and are full of cronies running crucial departments. Original Post Frank Gilkeson 6:46am Jul 29 What is the Lumpkin County Hospital Authority doing? The Bylaws of the Authority have not been updated since 1978-80 when they were first put in place. At that time the Authority was tasked with setting up and managing a local county-run hospital. Subsequently the public hospital was privatized and the mission of the Authority changed to that of funding indigent health care in the county (see mission of organization in tax return). In 2012, according to its federal tax return, the Authority had $1.5 million in assets. In that year, it paid out $34,000 for health care for the poor of Lumpkin County. It had a gain of $45,000 in its investment portfolio and had a bank savings account in excess of $316,000. In its 2012 tax return the Authority's only mission is defined as "Spending of revenues for medical expenses for Lumpkin County indigent residents". "Revenues" is a key word here. So only revenues are available to cover indigent expenses? That being the case, important questions are raised as to the management of the investment portfolio so as to maximize gain and minimize risk. What is the Lumpkin County Hospital Authority doing? The bylaws of the authority require that its bylaws be kept up to date. Article X of the Bylaws states: "These Bylaws will be reviewed by the governing body at least every two years, with revisions as necessary". In this regard, It would appear that the Authority is in gross violation of its own bylaws. Meanwhile Sunlink Health Systems Inc., the parent of Chestatee Regional Hospital reports a nearly $1 million loss it its most recent quarterly report. The most recent stock price for Sunlink was $1.18. Meanwhile the mega-hospital in Gainesville, NEGMS continues to create a "functional monopoly" for key healthcare services in the region. NEGMS dominates the market for cancer, stroke, hip and knee replacement, trauma and other high-cost services. NEGMS has been going around and hiring local doctors as employees and turning them into entry points for their services. The county hospital in Habersham County has just received a $34 million bailout from the taxpayers of the county. I have current open records requests with the Authority regarding the content, management and management compensation for the investment portfolio. I requested their most recent 2013 tax return but they refused to let me see it unless I paid to have it redacted. They told me that it would require extensive redaction. At the same time it is possible to view their earlier returns for free at foundationcenter. org. You can view the current bylaws here. https://www.facebook.com/frank.gilkeson/media_set?set=a.10204343346926522.1073741846.1315129008&type=1 You can view the Sunlink quarterly report press release here. https://www.facebook.com/frank.gilkeson/posts/10204343263884446 You can view the 2012 tax return here. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/581/581177947/581177947_201212_990.pdf What is the Lumpkin County Hospital Authority doing? The Bylaws have not been revised since 1978-80. In 1978, the LCHA was created to own and operate the... View Post on Facebook · Edit Email Settings · Reply to this email to add a comment.