Saying an ambulatory surgery center from Stormont-Vail Health would “cannibalize” its outpatient and elective services, Newman Regional Health is making its strongest statement about the potential impact such a facility could have if it’s built later.
Newman Regional Health CEO Cathy Pimple joined KVOE’s Morning Show for an interview earlier this week when the Stormont-Vail project went public. Pimple says the Stormont-Vail facility will duplicate several key outpatient services, including cardiology, a cath lab, gastrointestinal lab, endoscopy and orthopedics procedures. That decision, Pimple says, would shift revenues from Newman Regional Health to Stormont-Vail, meaning Newman Regional would not have the income to offset significant losses in other areas.
In fact, Pimple says Newman Regional Health would be “dependent on the taxpayers of Lyon County” to offset the lost revenue — which is why Newman Regional Health has asked for a series of zoning text changes from the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and Emporia City Commission. If Stormont-Vail asks for an ambulatory surgery center, and it hasn’t so far, the project would need a Conditional Use Permit regardless of whether the text changes are approved. However, if they are approved, Stormont-Vail will need to detail the nature and extent of services, the extent of services already being provided and how current services are inadequate for community need.
Stormont says such adjustments would “effectively limit the options of a longtime community resource for expanding its service offerings.” It says it’s making the move because it has outgrown its current leased clinic space in Emporia, but there are possible unlisted specialty services that could be provided to benefit patients by reducing travel. Stormont says its ultimate move will “expand opportunities and improve health care options.”
KVOE News has requested an interview with Stormont-Vail administrators. Word on that is pending.
The Planning Commission will consider the hospital’s text changes at a public meeting Nov. 21.
*Click here for KVOE News’ initial story on the potential surgery center.
*Click here for KVOE News’ story on the impact Newman Regional Health’s text change request could have on this process.
Letter to the Emporia community from Newman Regional Health CEO Cathy Pimple
The citizens of Lyon County/Emporia are encountering a topic of significant impact to healthcare. Our goal is to increase understanding of the important services that Newman Regional Health offers, and the impact of bringing more of the same healthcare services to our community that we already provide.
Newman Regional Health is community asset, owned by Lyon County, which provides essential and elective healthcare services to our local communities. Essential services include emergency, inpatient, and obstetrical services. These patient care services come at a loss of $6 million dollars a year to our community hospital. Outpatient services such as lab, imaging, and elective surgical services generate revenue that offsets our loss and allows us to continue providing our essential services. We ensure that ALL individuals have access to quality healthcare services close to home, both essential and elective.
A few months ago, Newman Regional Health’s leadership team met with Stormont Vail’s leadership team. At that meeting, Stormont Vail shared their intentions to build an ambulatory surgical center in Emporia that aligned with their strategic growth plan. They shared plans to specifically provide elective services, including Cardiology (e.g., Cath Lab procedures), Gastroenterology (e.g., colonoscopy), Orthopedics (e.g., total joint replacement), and Advanced Imaging services.
Newman Regional Health opposes Stormont Vail’s plan, as we currently already provide all of these elective services within our own community hospital. We view this as a serious threat to the public health and well-being of our community for the following reason:
Stormont Vail’s plan will cannibalize the hospital’s outpatient and elective services and take away revenue necessary to counterbalance the operating loss from essential services rendered in the emergency, inpatient, and obstetrical departments. This places our community at risk of losing these essential services.
With the addition of a Licensed Medical Facility such as an Ambulatory Surgery Center, our community hospital would become dependent on the taxpayers of Lyon County to make up for the loss of revenue projected to be $6.7 million dollars annually.
To protect against this happening in our community, Newman Regional Health has requested that the City of Emporia approve the published text amendments to the City’s Zoning Regulations. These amendments would allow local control and the ability to evaluate requests made by outside healthcare facilities to build in Emporia. This evaluation would include an assessment and evaluation of unduly duplicative services and the impact on our community hospital’s ability to provide the essential services of emergency, inpatient, and obstetrical care.
We are grateful for the loyalty of our community. The ability to treat and care for your needs within our hospital is a great privilege and responsibility. We are united under one common goal, and that is the health and wellness of our citizens and customers. By taking these proactive measures, we can ensure that our community hospital remains a place of hope and healing for generations to come.
Cathy Pimple
Newman Regional Health
