Where are the rumors that the hospital is closing coming from: Tim McGlew maybe...

The rumor mill has found the source: KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew

As people of the Kern River Valley are wondering what is happening with their public hospital and clinics, nothing has popped up in the local news, as this is serious, says Kern Valley Healthcare District CEO, Tim McGlew.

With two reporters on hand for last week's KVHD general board meeting, the KV Sun website is devoid of news and the administrators at the hospital are now denying the hospital has less time than a microwave dinner...

For those who like the news dry and arid, read the CEO's comments during the November 2, 2011 general meeting, unedited except for the uhs and umms:

"With the approval of the state budget this last year, Governor Brown included significant cost reductions for distinct part skilled nursing facilities and sub-acute units.

Those cuts were to be 10% off our rates that were in effect as of our 2008/2009 year.

They made an application to CMS, the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medi-Cal, initially did not get a response from CMS- CMS issued- during that point in time after they filed that application there was significant input from the hospital communities, from the hospital associations and other providers.

With regards to the impact of those cuts, we're gonna have on the hospital industry and the healthcare industry here in California- CMS issued the state a request for additional information which that state ultimately responded to. and I don't know the timing when they actually received that request versus when they finally made the decision, but- the state has basically approved the, the federal government has approved the state's actions for those rate cuts- to put these into perspective is that in how that impacts the us, we are looking in terms of 1.8 million dollar reduction to our reimbursement-1.8 million dollar reduction.

Obviously, you look at our financial statements you see that those cuts would be drastic.-I don't think-know, for the most part they are unsustainable- there's no way you are going to cut your way to break even or profit with that kind of cut." END

Okay, am I the only one who smells a rat here? If you transcribe Tim McGlew it is easier to see the BS in the PR from the CEO of the SNF and ER. But the video of the last meeting is a must. I must get that uploaded and soon. Remind me.

What is required as urgent to get a story covered by the locals?

This story was not urgent enough for some immediate coverage? The closure of the hospital which suddenly came upon them only a week ago? What has to happen at KVHD to actually get coverage...would they have to win the lottery or they resuscitate Governor Brown at a rally and thereby win favor?

Let's watch as it is quite interesting the Kern Valley Sun delayed this information or our "critical access" to the story and details about the current problems that may effect many who are brave enough to still be customers of the district.

McGlew promised to be writing a full report for the KV Sun this week, so I guess we need to wait and hear the newest and latest side of his own story of the hospital closure...???

What are the ramifications?

This is where we need leadership and quickly, but we don't have it. We want to think that there are no issues we can't handle if we work together, however, that's our problem in the KRV, we don't work together.

If this hospital is on a string, it has been for years, and now we have an excuse, the easiest one of them all: it was the government who did it.

This piece of dramatic public relations crapolla was given by Tim Mcglew with all the right sadness and inflection of deep grief peppered throughout his determined effort to convince us that they are the VICTIMS of reckless government, or ruthless profiteering or whatever they think of next.

They are simply looking in the mirror.

Let me explain something that is important to understand as this issue begins to settle into our busy minds: the people who gain from this are the people who have money and retirement and no lawsuits against them at KVHD.

Bankruptcy and negotiation options stolen from community

The options, ALL the options, were stolen last year by the CFO, Chester N. Beedle and CEO, Timothy McGlew, and probably a couple board members who met with Cal Mtg. our debt insurer, when we were NOT ALLOWED to hear about negotiation or bankruptcy before more ties that bind us to our latest debt: the 6.8 million dollar "January 2011, Beedle deal."

Though the board voted for this informational option, it obviously did it as a deflection as they apparently had no intention of following through. As I said, with revelations that would appear upon a full investigation, there could be charges or some potential justice, (which would make me faint immediately), but that is not a risk certain people wish to take.

We also never saw the operations report done as a result of the 2010, KVHD default with Cal Mtg., from HFS. We heard it had giant holes, but then most of what we hear from KVHD has giant holes. Nothing new.

Plan B, the strategic plan that was to be addressed at every meeting, the promises and the failure. We heard it all and never blinked. How do you guys do that, oh yes, we have to discuss the major impact of the potential loss of the district: no food for the sycophants.

They don't want the books opened up

Contracts are all over this town and the hospital has a grip that you would not believe, that is until I reveal all who could've, should've helped, but didn't because of those "think local" contracts.

They tried to scare the wits out of the community with the threat of bankruptcy unless we the people paid their debts off for them just last year.

Throwing good money after bad is the American way.

And they will tell us anything at this point that we still cannot go into a bankruptcy, yet it could have been successfully completed. Or we could have fought for ourselves, but instead we are too late for those non-tax payer, bail out, measures.

And we could be on our way back from negotiations tentatively planned early in 2009 if the attempt at a rational, non criminal action in terms of negotiating with Cal Mtg. the financial debt master of KVHD was not aborted by the administration ...but the records would come open for all to see and that threatens those with their hands in the cookie jar.

Instead of thinking of those who need a hospital and all who have believed in the humanity of our system, the administrators and board members have dashed all the trust and converted our good will into a farce, causing a chasm in the community.

But don't worry yourselves too much

I know the consensus is that the administration and board must go. That will be easier than you think when we get to that point. You do have that control, we are not victims, but we sure are acting like it.

If you have only gotten your information via the KV Sun newspaper or other local advertising papers, and the sound coming from channel 104.5 on your radio, then you likely don't know much about what has happened here at KVHD in the last few years. (white collar crime or in this valley "the whole ring around the white collar crime.")

Where are the news hounds?

How much longer will there be an ER, that is called news. It would also be called urgent news in circles where a newspaper is used for the community rather than the other way around.

Last month the information came out in the middle of the KV sun general meeting article, just a sentence, that the ER group headed by Dr. Sacapano is on their way out of KVHD, yet there was no follow up as to the excellent journalism 101 questions: why, when, where and how.

If this is the case, then there must be some interest such as maybe losing their CAH status? Or are they are planning on bringing in a temporary company to cover but at what cost? Or...

Apparently, we are not allowed to hear the truth. I've been stonewalled by Mr. McGlew of late, he said he doesn't read my blog...really. From what I've heard he has made it the topic of discussion along with trying several tactics to keep me and my cameras from the meetings since his arrival in July of 2009.

Randy Peale maybe able to answer to some of my contention, that if there is nothing to hide, why are you hiding? And why did they try to keep me from criticizing them or trying to set me up in various ways? Defame me to such an extent I cannot receive any healthcare in the area that I live in that doesn't include the KVHD X-files (again our medical records) Are they so weak at this point that an injured, caustic reporter would push them to do things such as breaking into my records? Threatening people on my medical contact list? Trying to get me thrown out of the meetings? Purposely mistreating me in the ER by mixing politics and medicine? (See post title: "complaints to the cook can be hazardous to your health")

PATHETIC! Kern County allowed a high school board member a swat at someone who disagreed. This is not what we call good examples of judgment, just like KVHD, as there is no rule against criticism, but there are rules against trying to quash criticism to obstruct, say an investigation or colluding with others for personal gain, keeping the tax payers out of the loop or ignoring PRA requests. (A summary list, it goes on and on and on)

Okay, settle down, you will know much more soon, just keep reading. I do answer all queries and I read your stories. I'm slow to respond, but I do care. Allow me some time and I will personally get back with you on any issue KVHD.

There are interim measures such as leasing or bringing on temporary managers, (how about Sandy Haskins of HFS who successfully lead Sierra Kings District Hospital through a bankruptcy after former KVHD and Sierra Kings, CEO, Pamela Ott was arrested) and next year is an election year where the public can speak out, anonymously, safely, behind the curtain, with a vote.

I'm not for cutting the pay of doctors, nurses, all staff, including those who cook, make beds, clean, fill out forms, triage patients (your money up front please), are important elements to a good system. What we have is chaos in this country and it will get worse not better until we wake up to the fact that we lost control of our own local healthcare and we now are running out of time nationally.

First let us hear from KVHD, and the "Wiki leaks" CEO, as that is what they keep promising. And I'll bet the KV Sun has been busy whipping up the cream for their pity party...