Roller coasters and Taffy

NEWS CLIP
Yesterday doctors, midwives and nurses met with administrators who informed us that they thought the OB unit would be able to remain open for a few reasons. They got the message loud and clear, because of the grassroots fundraising and networking, that this was something near and dear to the hearts of many members of the community that they are here to serve. Yay team! Another key factor is an unexpected increase in stimulus money, coupled with the fact that they are beginning to see results from the measures the hospital and staff have been making over the last couple months to improve the financial bottom line.

However, there's more, the decision is not done. The hospital is not out of the woods by a long shot, cost cutting measures still need to be made with or without OB. The problem is that there is the possibility of restructuring some of the support services that need to be in place to practice obstetrics. So physicians and providers are looking at a new paradigm to see if they can work within that. And administrators continue their hard work of looking in very nook and cranny for savings.

My hope is that the decision is not a purely financial one, but one that is based on the demonstrated needs of the community that the hospital is here to serve and is ultimately accountable to. I hope that together we will find a way to be part of a solution working towards compassionate accessible health care for essential service, rather than perpetuating the vast problems of the health care industry by compromising our values and mission by succumbing to the bottom line to save our own financial skin.

Hopefully this roller coaster ride will stop soon.