December 2, 2010 the Kern Valley healthcare District board of directors voted 3 to 2 to bring in an attorney to explore options to help the ailing district to remain in business with enough money to keep the doors open and the patients safe.
It was a fight, won by three teenage girls, who asked the board why they waited so long to take action?
After one of the most contentious meetings I have seen since Pam Ott stepped down, or actually side stepped down her responsibility for the deaths of nursing home patients and her lack of knowledge or credentials to run a hospital, in May of 2007.
However, the board vote was pushed into the future, and the attorney was called after a "deal" made with Cal Mtg. the insurance company holding the bag on the hospital's old debt, was put into motion. The deal, which basically puts the burden back on the community, only offsets, and will not help as the Medicare/Medical driven hospital, will be feeling the cold shoulder from the state and federal budget very soon. Bracing for this economic disaster should have happened long ago, as our two top, high paid managers, Tim McGlew and Chet Beedle both ignored all the signs, and ignored a warning from a professional regarding jumping in on the ARRA stimulus funds which we could have had to build, expand or Chet, even pay off some debts such as Cardinal Health which used to supply the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy.
It's too late though
I remember Chief Financial Officer, Chester Beedle, and Dr. Robert Gross DO made a joke one meeting in 2009, about the fact they don't have a "crystal ball" to see into the future.
Well duh. Get binoculars.
Here we are in early 2011 and you're trying to tell me that none of these "professionals" or "veterans of healthcare" could see the pattern that they were going down, way down, anchored by an old debt, and in technical default after spending millions of dollars trying to hide their deficiencies or "crimes" from 2007 to 2008? Only an imprudent financial manager would allow this to happen, but this person would need help from an uninformed community, and likely in collusion with the board of directors to continue to speed ahead to the giant iceberg they are about to hit.
I saw it coming and I have a visual problem
In February of 2009, I wrote up a potential deal with Cal Mtg. the insurer of the debt, and gave it to the board, administrators and our now Senator, Jean Fuller. I saw it coming two years ago. (I feel also like reminding you that I also called out that our buddy Jerry Brown then AG, was gearing up the PR for a run at the Governors mansion six months before he announced it)
Everyone was ready to begin a turn around in a timely manner as the writing was on the wall in 2009, though Beedle denied it. Then "Assemblywoman Jean Fuller" gave me her word (the word of a politician) that she believed it was a good idea and supported the effort.
Suddenly, a cold draft came from that "master of numbers" Chet Beedle who began a round of "bullying" to keep the potential meeting from taking place.
Former CEO, Rick Carter, and Brad Armstrong joined the club against such a "premature" measure like trying to solve a problem that could eventually lead to BANKRUPTCY. Current, Chairwoman of the board, out of touch with the truth, told this community in August 2010 as they were whipping up a tax bailout,"Measure G," told the equally out of touch audience that it was the fault of Rick Carter that the 2009 meeting with Cal Mtg. was shut down.
Not exactly, isn't that right Chet?
With Chet Beedle ready to pack up his retirement and head home to Apple Valley either this year or next year, depending upon what happens in the near future both financially or maybe even an investigation that could peel off the mask hiding his fiasco that has made the Kern Valley Hospital a DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.
Beedle, who gave me his "updated" resume back in 2007, somehow worked as a "controller" in Miami in 1974, while attending Arizona State University and Wisconsin University during that same time frame, (how he could do this would be miraculous, but I have to say it's "positively" remarkable even) blew the KVHD bank roll in 2007-2008. He told Cal Mtg. (the word "told" is key here) that Sycamore Mgt. Company who came on after Ott made a run for it, was our new "management company." They took away more than 2.5 million from this hospital. They also did not "fix" the problems in the nursing center which were extensive. Why didn't we take action to regain some of our losses? Well, it could be that Beedle and the board allowed them a "time and materials" contract. We let them walk away with two years worth of debt payments for little in return. Even a child in a rudimentary math class could see the writing on the wall. But not our boy, Chet, he kept up the ruse until now or he had something to gain.
Dr. Kent Skoegerson not too happy
Skoegerson hired on during the Ott/Beedle era along with the "sticky three" quorum, board members, Bob Jamison, Brad Armstrong, and Barbara Casas, who kept the vote going their way. With no surgeon at the time, Dr. Skoegerson, a successful doctor who had extensive background in "laproscopic surgery" and he made a good living doing "weight loss" surgeries, was ready to retire. But he came to the valley according to a notes from an article I did in 2006, to help this small community, and to enjoy the lake and his motorcycle. However, there were issues such as the fact that he was no longer a hungry, young surgeon, he was at a point where he could help, but only so much...
Dr. Gross and wife Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross
Some people don't know or were not here when the Gross couple arrived in the valley with talk of "change." The young couple wanted to make this a better district, and many people believed they were going to be the one's to do it. People of the community believed in the Gross plan to such an extent that they even loaned them money to get started. Several members of the hospital board and administration, such as Bob Jamison, Pam Ott and Chet Beedle, made promises to the couple that they would share a building and bring on new "specialists" to the valley. They also had plans for an urgent care, as Pam Ott, reported in the Kern Valley Sun articles I wrote back in 2006. The situation became worse, and lawyers were brought in as a "your word and a handshake" are not something you should count on when doing business in this valley. Gross fought the hospital but it seems we did not know what his plans were for the future.
Now a board member
Chet Beedle reports in an email on this blog, that he would not hire Dr. Gross as the "hospitalist" because he was "too expensive." (like Sycamore mgt., Tracy Brown, Aspen Street Architects, or even a PR company that did nothing, and Dr. Skoegerson?) With Gross on the board of Directors, the hospitalist for KVHD, and owner/operator of Sienna Wellness Institute, he has gained power on the inside. He even went to the extent to give his backing to David Derr, posting signs at his clinic and officially "giving" Derr his backing for a board seat. Derr was elected and now he and Gross have teamed up and did the same things done to Gross during the "dark ages" five years ago: bullying. He bullied and hurt the very people who put him in power which makes him just like the people who pushed him around a few years ago. No sympathy from this blogger, since he also vowed he would NEVER mix politics and medicine. Well, I'm here to tell you, I WAS a patient of Sienna Wellness and as far as I know he had no problem with what happened to me under the care of his clinic.
Why didn't you just tell me?
In 2007, as the hospital struggled to stay open, Gross came from a board meeting as he was only attending because he had financial and obviously personal issues, with the administration, and bumped into me afterwards. He growled, "that fucking bitch" and I surprised as I was still unaware of all they were hiding, so I asked what was going on. He chastised me for believing in Ott and her gang and stormed away leaving me standing there wondering what happened to our plan to "revive healthcare."
Gross votes out Skoegerson
While on vacation recently, Dr. Kent Skoegerson, found out his contract with the hospital was voted down, and his 90 days were enacted. Chet Beedle in an unusual stance, took the side of Skoegerson, and not "new friend" Dr. Gross. Beedle, Victoria Alwin and Bob Jamison, argued to keep the surgeon, as they had no one to replace him at this juncture. But Beedle's reasons I believe are quite different. Since Skoegerson is out there fighting, words flying from all quarters, voices calling for Dr. Gross to step down or be recalled, I can tell you that Skoegerson has some "goodies" on Mr. Beedle. We all have goodies on Beedle it's just that nobody wants to hear it and many are too afraid to speak up because they want to keep their jobs and live in the valley. But Skoegerson is a long time doctor who knows to play on the best side, right...or wrong. I have no expectation that Skoegerson will uncover the Beedle, as he was part of the original game. Personally, I had a surgery with Skoegerson and he's good. As far as his business affairs, well, that's another story I'm sure will be out in the open soon.
I can do nothing but sit back and watch
I'm sure all who know me, now know that I would be up and at them if it were possible, but as I have warned this hospital is not safe. And the doctors involved in my decline are STILL WORKING THERE. The CEO who promised to help as we have all been directed to send him our complaints, did nothing to stop what did not have to happen. So, if it didn't have to happen, then why did it? Was it on purpose Doctors? My medical information has been breached, and death threats came in the day I came home from another hospital: they were calling my medical contacts. One of those contacts is my 91 year old neighbor and WWII veteran who was told by this jerk that I was dead or dying. I had been out of touch for a week, and called him to see how he was, and he said someone called him and said I was dying. Yes, I was enraged to say the least that they called him. He served his country during an honorable war, helping veterans since that time, and the hospital let this happen. Maybe even aided and abetted the calls? Nobody got another threat for over a month after I reported this incident to the hospital and police and the FBI. However, when I received a piece of evidence indicating that a certain doctor who needs to know I will NOT forget what he did, I called the hospital to see if he was there so I could speak to him about this. Six hours after I left my message suddenly another "death threat" came in after a whole month of nothing. I called the ER, and suddenly another threat. We have recorded them and reported to the police and FBI and I want this "prick" to know if you want to threaten me, please CALL ME! I don't like cowards, and this idiot who is afraid to dial my phone, will be charged with a crime. Don't think you're safe, because you're not, AND THAT IS NOT A THREAT THAT IS A WARNING.
I get calls and sometimes answer
Sadly I've received calls from many people in the last couple months with complaints and fears of the Kern Valley Hospital. I have done all I can until I find out what is going on with me. I'm injured in every way you could hurt someone. If you've had a heart attack you will know what I felt. I was given the great sensation of dying, and pain that goes with it. They slipped me a mickey and they lied to a federal agency as they were trying to get them to agree to do something very wicked. There's no question in any of our minds that have seen/heard the evidence, both laymen and medical types, that this doctor lead the agency to give the go ahead to unleash the pain. Then they refused to tell me before they gave it and for five days nobody told me what was going on. But you realize some agencies such as Department of Public Health in Bakersfield, don't play by the rules, and this is not my first attack, that came three years ago, after a head injury that sparked a stroke and then a trauma at another hospital. DPH was getting daily letters from me back then, and then even backed out on allowing me to see the nursing home records from the KVHD investigation. My friends and I were told by "now retired" DPH employee, Linda Wilkinson, I could come down on 4/1/09. It must have been April's fool day at DPH because she simply disappeared and we NEVER got to see those records, even though by law we should have.
Making a federal case out of it
After my recent incident, I returned to find my PA at Sienna Wellness who I thought at one time a decent person, but he acted like a prejudiced practitioner with no "heart." I reached out to them for help and what I got in return was more damage. It was icing on the cake and then they would add candles as Tim McGlew and the PA in a conference call, tried to bully me. They gave me advice that was immediately refuted by the people they were trying to pawn me off on so they could slip away unnoticed. The PA made remarks that are just as "illegal" as if he made racial slurs. He said some very discriminatory remarks about me being bi-polar, one of my disabilities. He went on to be even more crass and arrogant by telling me that it's "women doctors" and "women" who prescribe in error natural type thyroid remedies. (Gee, where did he get that information is there a prejudice data bank for male PA's only?) He told the office that he was afraid to see me that I might have a gun. And he went on to talk about my "emotionally cracked condition" leading to me shooting people. I was aghast that this was being said not only in my presence, but in the company of the staff. To assuage your fears, I don't have any designs to shoot someone, in fact I'm trying to protect you right now and you don't even know it. I didn't have a gun, but I have a disability which has kept me from being able to get proper health care. However, feeling threatened I did bring something with me that day to protect myself: a tape recorder. Sienna Wellness needs to deal with the truth and not your word against mine, which has been damaged so badly that I had to get the tape so there was no question I'm not exaggerating.
Bankruptcy was not the objective
As I said in December of 2010, three teenage girls with more sense than the whole board, and the local media, told the "emperor" he had no clothes. Instead of listening to the insight of these bright, young ladies, they placated all of us with a vote they had no intention of following through on: sure bring on the attorney. No date was set, yet when it was, it was cancelled, and then word leaked out that Beedle and Mcglew had made a deal with Cal Mtg. to in debt the district with another deal: this time a strange type of loan, bail out, or whatever you want to call it. The rumors flew that the attorney was called to bankrupt the hospital, but what these gossip mongers didn't know was that he was being called to answer questions about potential actions the hospital could take to remain in operation: such as negotiation.
After all of that, they said the word: Bankruptcy
At the April board meeting that famous word that started rumors flying back in 2000, bankruptcy, has come around again. I wonder how Cal Mtg. feels about it, since they just gave KVHD their "last chance" deal? But you see that we could have handled this two years ago, obtained ARRA funds, brought on a CEO for at least 60 to 70 thousand dollars cheaper, got rid of the old guard on the board, and turned Beedle into the authorities, WE WOULD SURVIVE THIS DEPRESSION. Our chances are getting slimmer and slimmer, and complaints from patients and contractors, budget cuts, could sink this ship in less the a few months. You know what I think: Let it go...Don't bail it out which will help Chet Beedle retire happily back to Apple Valley and he can laugh his way out of this mess.
Why? Because this community played the fool for too long and now we are at the end. They bring on the attorney for what? They made the deal with Cal Mtg. and sold it to the people who don't understand the politics of healthcare. You bought it, now you live with it. That's not fair to those of us who only came here for a friendly neighbor hood doctor and healthcare to suddenly have to either pay more for less, or see it end completely. But...there are other answers, I put them on this blog. After Pam Ott was allowed to leave without handcuffs, she ruined Sierra Kings District hospital in Reedley, Ca, using money from their "supposedly protected" GOB, but even more awful, she took pension money from employees who will NEVER see their retirement money.
We did this to them, we owe Reedley money and an apology because the Kern River Valley refuses to take responsibility for it's actions. We have seen that with the hospital and the hellish High school. Nobody, not even the churches or politicians, can put humpty dumpty back together again. And unless there is a true investigation which would includes Chester N. Beedle, and piles of documents showing patterns of fraud and waste, that have lead to safety issues, cruelty to families of patients who died in the SNF, along with defamation of many different people, there will be no hospital.
Then the "Gross gang" rubbing it in, with the feeling that they will never be caught, they used all our $9000 dollars in "SHIP" monies giving it to one company for a strategic plan which I was told in an interview with "Philps" that had to be only positive in nature. (which is delusional and unrealistic, but hey they got the contract usingnthe hospitals' own grant money, which would be considered illegal as it wasn't offered to the other companies) Too little, too late, we have done a number of these plans and never has anyone, board, CEO, followed through. I asked Michael Philps how is he going to ensure that his 15,000 dollar contract will make any difference if the board doesn't follow through or even understand how to follow through? He said, that they would recommend that the board talk about strategic planning each month. Okay. But what did that expenditure do to help a hospital already lost at sea? Planning requires time and circumspection and you can't start planning for a disaster while you're in a distaster...Hello?
What's next? Is Marsha Smith going to buy the hospital too and save the valley? Is it Sunset time for the KRV?
If you ignored this blog and read the stories by the ass kissers at the Kern Valley Sun or didn't attend a KVHD meeting or didn't fill out a complaint form or didn't call the AG or OIG or DPH or the nursing board, or didn't write a "informed" letter to the editor, or call Jean Fuller or have a notion there was something wrong: then you probably won't be willing to serve your country either. We really don't need you, and you should be cut from the team/budget.
We're in trouble folks, and to hit the elderly, the children, the disabled, Education, and now our soldiers in harm's way, with all the cuts while some sit back in their recliners ignoring the responsibility of owning a democracy: what comes around goes around. No job is secure, no politican truthful, and no rural hospital worth "dying for."
Your government, your problem: An owner's manual
After the defeat of the 22.7 million dollar property tax increase failed to garner the 2/3 majority necessary to infuse the hospital with millions of dollars for a plan misunderstood and seemingly suspicious to many, the Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting was a simple fiasco.
