Westchester Medical troubles

[Guest]

November 16, 2005

Tax Increase Is Sought to Bolster Westchester Medical Center

By JENNIFER MEDINA

NYTimes

WHITE PLAINS, Nov. 15 - The Westchester County executive, Andrew J. Spano, proposed a $1.54 billion budget Tuesday calling for a 4.5 percent property-tax increase that will be used largely to pay for operating costs at the financially troubled Westchester Medical Center.

The tax increase, $21.6 million, also includes a $7.2 million increase for county government spending, which will pay for more public safety officers and services from nonprofit agencies.

The medical center, the largest hospital in the county, has failed to pay more than $33 million to reimburse the county for the cost of utilities, security and maintenance of its grounds. Rather than anticipate such a reimbursement in 2006, Mr. Spano's budget proposal includes a $14.4 million allocation to the hospital to cover such costs.

The county spun off the hospital as a public benefit corporation in 1998. Earlier this year, the county pledged to give the medical center $57 million from the national legal settlement from tobacco manufacturers to help pull it out from financial ruin.

"What we're saying is, 'don't worry what's going on outside the walls of the hospital, let us focus on that,' " said Larry Schwartz, the deputy county executive.

Mr. Spano said that he would continue to press for more state aid for the hospital. An aid package fell apart during the last session of the State Legislature. Officials originally projected a $60 million deficit for the hospital this year, but have said money from the county and cuts in spending will reduce that figure.

Emphasizing that the total tax increase was below the current rate of inflation, Mr. Spano said the county has to finance several social service programs that had relied on federal and private grants that have expired.

Mr. Spano, who last week won a third term, said this budget was among the best in his time in office.

The budget proposal will now be reviewed by the County Legislature, which must act on it by the end of the year. William Ryan, the chairman of the Legislature, said the lawmakers would likely approve the medical center appropriations, but would look for ways to lower the increase.

"Ideally, we can keep services up to the standards and still find other ways for adjusting," he said.

The property tax increases will vary among homeowners, because of complicated tax laws. Some residents may see a significant increase while others may have a small decrease.

[roeems87 0]

It's plain and simple, you cannot close Westchester Medical Center. Not right now. Not until there is something to replace it. Other hospitals in the area are swimming as is... throwing that load on any given hospital in the central-Westchester just won't work. United closed and the craziness that caused is evident. PCRRBVAC has 20 minute transports in either direction putting them way out of their response area (may not be a problem for some places up north, but they're quite busy). Luckily, Westchester has trauma centers in very close proximity. (Don't try the "we have 20 minute txp to a level 1" argument, where i go to school in NY, we have to fly anything that needs a trauma center.) Closing WMC would put other hospitals at too great a strain. Try WPH for example. I use them alot, but they're a good example... They are building a dual-floor ER... You can go in there at 3:30 in the morning and have a full waiting room, 30 patients in the ER, and 4-5 ambulances in the bay. That tells you that they're handling plenty of traffic. It's a city-style ER, but they have lots to handle for a hospital that doesn't have another one two blocks away...

Bottom line, closing Westchester MC is a problem. Westchester needs a level 1 and just the presence of another large hospital...

any other opinions on it? what do you guys think?

[ajsbear 11]

You're right, we cannot allow WMC to close. Problem is it's not only used by WC but patients come from Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess & Orange Counties and its time they kicked in as well. I have a problem as a taxpayer geting an increase to cover WMC's shortages but the other 4 counties must kick in as well. Pay their part. WMC has had financial problems for years and always come up with some way to make ends meet but it's time the other counties admit they transport to WMC therefore they need to pick up some of the burden.

[Guest]

There is no way WMC can close, its far too important to the county, and the eastern seaboard with its amazing burn unit and peds facilities. I live in Port Chester, and have seen the lower westchester area buckel under extended ambulance transport times since United has closed. Port chester has even had to add additional units to ensure avilability. I'm not sure as to what the real problem is, but i know Port Chester suffered from an influx of non-paying pa and keep a good facilitytients. Its ashame it has to get to this point, but i would rather pay the moneyand keep a vital facility open.

[Guest]

It shouldn't be John Q Publics responsibility ti pay more taxes to try and keep the Med Center afloat. The hospital, since privatization has only gone from worse to deplorable. Management time and time again have proven that a kindergartener can balance books better. No one is to blame but that institution and it's management. Let them reap their downfalls.