Funding Change Threatens Shands-Jacksonville

Lunican · February 28, 2009, 01:52:31 PM

QuoteFunding Change Threatens Shands-Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The head of Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center said Friday that a major source of its funding is threatened by a bill pending in Tallahassee, and if they lose that money, the hospital would cut services or even close.

Jim Burkhart, president of Shands-Jacksonville, said there is a proposal to abolish the current formula for distributing Medicare funds in Florida, and that could substantially reduce the money available to Shands-Jacksonville and other hospitals for services for the poor.

Each year the city of Jacksonville pays the hospital millions of dollars for indigent health care. Other counties also voluntarily pay into a Low Income Pool, which is then matched by the federal government.

Full Article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29434524/

ProjectMaximus · February 28, 2009, 05:50:26 PM

yikes. the story is probably a little exaggerated, but still not good news.

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 06:32:38 PM

Does anyone know what percentage of revenue comes from indigent care? Could SHANDS exist without it?

Springfielder · February 28, 2009, 06:35:50 PM

I think it might be pretty tight if they lose that funding....I remember some years back they were threatened with losing funding and said they'd close down then.

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 06:37:59 PM

can you imagine the impact to Springfield?

Springfielder · February 28, 2009, 07:03:33 PM

Not only to the local area, but the trauma center, I would imagine would also be impacted. Those copters are always flying back and forth

Charles Hunter · February 28, 2009, 09:00:06 PM

I heard from someone who works there that all employees are being asked to write their legislators. They are taking it very seriously. And where do those private hospitals that are pushing this think the indigent will go when Shands closes?

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 09:26:16 PM

People complain about the homeless now! Just wait until they are wandering around with open wounds, bleeding and coughing on the general public.

Springfielder · March 01, 2009, 07:16:09 AM

They already do that....but that's not saying we shouldn't provide them emergency care. One of the main problems with indigent care, is that it's extremely costly, and all too often it's the people with issues other than emergency care, that are clogging and financially draining the system. That then leads to the topic of some sort of health care system that will make it affordable for everyone. And no, I don't support socialized medicine.

sheclown · March 01, 2009, 07:31:29 AM

Will the Proton Therapy Lab be affected by SHANDs financial troubles?

Springfield Girl · March 01, 2009, 08:54:02 AM

This has been an issue in the past. If I understand it right the problem is not surviving without the money provided for indigent care it is having to treat them without funding. I would assume that if they lose the funding you will see people being turned away and being referred to other facilities. If this happened I would think that Shands would not need the space or number of employees that they have now. I think the Proton Facility is operated separately but not sure.

fsu813 · November 24, 2009, 04:38:51 PM

somewhat related.....

The Nov/Dec edition of "Open Lines", the Shands Newsletter Magazine features a cover story on "Shands Supports Springfield".

Great rendering of a finished Main Street and a list & description of the various eateries in the neighborhood (7 in total).

It can be seen here: http://intrashands1/Open%20Lines/November%20-%20December%202009.pdf

also......yes, though they work closely together, Proton is seperate form Shands.

buckethead · November 24, 2009, 05:16:18 PM

Seperate doesn't neccesarily mean it could survive a Shands closure.

fsu813 · November 24, 2009, 09:59:29 PM

Sure it would. Shands needs Proton a heck of a lot more than Proton needs Shands, imo

FayeforCure · November 25, 2009, 10:51:03 AM

Quote from: Springfielder on March 01, 2009, 07:16:09 AM
They already do that....but that's not saying we shouldn't provide them emergency care. One of the main problems with indigent care, is that it's extremely costly, and all too often it's the people with issues other than emergency care, that are clogging and financially draining the system. That then leads to the topic of some sort of health care system that will make it affordable for everyone. And no, I don't support socialized medicine.

What is socialized medicine?

Is it what Shands provides?