PRA requests: shutting out the public...KVHD under Fire

It may not be Wall Street, but there's a wall on this street: Kern Valley Healthcare District

Before the presentation of the strategic plan, I received the draft with the initial plans, such as becoming closer partners with other clinics in town. Okay...

The first draft indicated only "Sienna Wellness Institute," would be cozying up to the district, as if they are not already.

The institute is owned by Dr. Robert Gross, DO, KVHD board member, hospitalist, hospitalist group utilizing his clinic employees, former adversary who hired an attorney against the district, along with lining his clinic with campaign signs for the newly elected board vote, David Derr. His partner is Dr. Finstad, the Medical Director for the hospital.

How much closer could they possibly get?

Having the draft to compare to the final version made it interesting as suddenly Sienna Wellness was omitted and Sierra Clinica Vista (another former debtor with "Cal Mtg.) took its place. Sienna Wellness was not even included in the final plan, why would that be? They were not forced to choose only one.

I will put the document up for all to see soon, but I want to understand something before we go there.

Stonewalling the watchdog

I wrote to KVHD board counsel, Scott Nave, of Leimieux and Oneill, and asked about why there was a special meeting for a strategic planning vote. His response was that the hospital wanted the community there to hear all about the plan. I have been around here too long to fall for that pick up line. Next, he will add, "we care."

Usually, a special meetings require some urgency, or maybe privacy, but this was not the case, as we return to the issue of how this recent strategic planning contract bidding process went awry.

How much longer will I have to accept these answers that should be simple, consistent, but we all know the community doesn't know about most of these special meetings unless they make a point of going into the hospital and finding the glass case. It's the general meetings, the first Wednesday of every month, where you see or used to see, the crowds.

Though it was a special meeting it was not informational it was action that needed immediate attention to comply with the grant requirements associated with one of the most openly bizarre bid for a contract. I have had to struggle to find out what happened with this grant money being directed at one contractor as I've explained in earlier posts.

We don't have time for the public

But certain board members have complained that meetings run "too long." I find that obnoxious as if there are issues to be dealt with, those elected weren't forced to run for the board, they get paid per meeting, and even get healthcare benefits. I would like to take umbrage with meetings being truncated by elected officials who are not fulfilling their due diligence as a trustee to the district.

(Have you ever wondered if the board or even the CEO use there own healthcare services? You'll be surprised by the answer, if I ever get it. I like confirmation first, but let me say, they likely won't be sitting next to you in the waiting room of the rural health clinic or ER.)

KVHD board in a hurry

There was an incident when I brought in my third request for an investigation of certain hospital administrators and personnel to a general board meeting. I began reading the request into the record, but was rushed, and when another audience member asked to use her three minutes to hear the rest of the request she was told she could not. Why not? There is nothing prohibiting this.

Chairwoman, Victoria Alwin, shut down the request with a weak excuse, regarding something about taking too much time, dominating the meeting and keeping board members late. Apparently, Miss Alwin, has forgotten she is "serving" on the board. Try coffee or tea.

Or maybe we can go "tele-board meetings" and she can work from home timing the words of the community members she serves so they don't violate the most important issue: the three minute rule.

But then, the Chairwoman's choke hold on comments, hardly touches the other issues such as a situation I reported to the KVHD, CEO, Tim McGlew and was taken aback by his response.

Clarify this for me

Why can't a person who is related to someone who has a lawsuit against the hospital file a complaint, not a claim, with the hospital regarding a totally different issue? Another unsatisfactory answer for the public.

It was a complaint from a woman whose mother has a lawsuit against the district regarding the elder abuse case from 2006/2007.

Her daughter had no claim or lawsuit filed against the district, but the CEO refused to hear her issue, which had to do with an ER doctor who treated her child, and the board counsel said he did not have to hear her "complaint."

The information I received, by email, does not seem to fit the normal course of action. She had a a right to make a complaint regardless of her relationship with the other lawsuit. And since it had nothing to do with that case, it appeared illogical, therefore untrustworthy information.

We will cover claims and complaints, but I need people to be aware, that the board attorney has told me he investigates the claims coming to the hospital. So, where is Beta-group, and how may have they answered the question as the district's liability carrier?

However, regarding simple complaints from those darn complainers out there that could actually help them improve services with the knowledge, are likely round filed. But not all complaints can be round filed especially if there is an issue with possible illegal activities or unsafe practices.

Make sure to follow up and pursue answers beyond that of the hospital.

BACK to the special strategic planning meeting: Ahoy!

Each year the hospital gets SHIP grant monies, if they qualify, and there are specific uses for the small sum averaging 9,000 dollars.

As I've been asking, why was only MICHAEL PHILPS allowed to use that money to offset his bid for the job? I've never seen this happen before...anywhere, but is certainly not done in a public hospital setting.

So, the deadline to finish this project was 8/31/11, and the regular board meeting was 9/7/11. Again, pennies turn into dollars, but all of this is fishy, and I am done fooling around with the PRA, Public records act, which has turned into requests unfulfilled dating back three years. I explained this to the hospital's attorney, and he has yet to respond.

The issues I am bringing up are the causes of the districts problems and if we continue down the same path we will get the same results. At this time, they have no bananas, they have no bananas today...(sing along)