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)

Who is running the Kern Valley Healthcare District: really?

Lying to your creditor: CFO Chester N. Beedle

Perusing emails written to and from the Kern Valley Healthcare District CFO, Chet Beedle, I have a theory that either Cal Mtg. insurer of this community's debt is easily duped, or they are fine with having Mr. Beedle sending out emails regarding things not so "transparent."

Beedle has been with the district or formerly with the district's management company that hired former CEO of KHD, Pamela Ott, currently charged with elder abuse.

Dave Green and Chet Beedle came on board the sinking ship in 2000, after the obvious overwhelming debt from the expansion project which was initially estimated to cost 13 million, and finally climbed up to 22 million, and yet the construction only created half the initial project.

Management companies have combed thru this valley scribbling notes, charging large sums, regarding saving a hospital ruined by debt and incompetence. Chet Beedle came from such a company, called BRIM.

(under construction: see you soon)



(Current KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, came on board in July of 2009, in his first year he started a campaign for a "bailout" called Measure G. All the management companies, that have been involved in trying to create a solution by charging "Wall Street" prices, have overwhelmed the districts bank account, and ALWAYS the first suggestion is a tax hike. And now once again, via our new and old friends, another GOB is on the way. Watch you wallet.)



Sent: Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 10:35:24 am
From: Chet Beedle
Subject: Hi

The answer to your questions are as follows:
1) Dr. Gross wants to be the hospitalist medical director for KVHD, but he wants significantly more money to do so.
2) Yes, KVHD lost over one million dollars on their capitation contract with BFMC. The district does currently have a contract with BFMC, but it is a fee for service contract.
3) The answer to your question is yes. Cal Mtg. and the bondholders have already discussed bringing in a management company due to KVHD not meeting their bond covenants. I have staved them off by saying that we have already done this with Sycamore Asset Management Co. They will not continue to wait forever.

Thanks for the confidence about the financial position of the district for the last four years. I am just concerned that we are no longer in that position and I am not currently able to reverse that trend.

I am waiting to see if Bob Jamison will take Rick Carter to Exchange. Have a good day!

Chet Beedle


Beedle's Resume shows a sharp shooter

Reading Beedle's email showing that he has the clout to actually ignore Cal Mtg., or stave them off, mislead them, you can suddenly see a link with his resume:

3) Assisted two California district hospitals with obtaining operating lines of credit that were guaranteed by the Cal Mortgage program of the State of California.

This is quite confusing as the CFO manager of KVHD's money and perpetuity, claims to have saved district hospitals, arranging Chapter 11 reorganizations, has strategic planning strategies, but he went to school in 1976, and then prior to his arrival in these here mountains, he finally got his masters in Business at La Verne University.

But in his email, he dramatically reveals he cannot keep up with the debt that had been created before and after his arrival. For Beedle to have all this experience, I would imagine, that the situation financially was the truth.

What could he have done to assist two hospitals to obtain Lines of Credit from Cal Mtg? Fungible monies, for old debts, it seems this is how it is done. No bankruptcy with Cal Mtg., but that doesn't mean there aren't other ideas.

Current CEO, Tim McGlew, also had a relationship with the OSHPD office of Cal Mtg. when he worked for the "Home for Jewish Parents" on a multimillion dollar expansion project

There is nothing illegal about a line of credit, except when the insurer of your debt is the only one who can obtain credit for the beleaguered healthcare district. The problem is that the board and administration seemed toknow ltte about

Board meeting pix 2 July: full report this week

Dr. Finstad, it was an observation I made about the way the public was being informed of their concerns at the hospital. I thought it was funny, but it was not intended to put you on the spot.

Part Two: After the lashing I gave Bob Jamison, Brad Armstrong and Chet Beedle, discomfort was palpable in the cafeteria. My unseasonably warm attitude was still hanging in the air after Dr. Finstad's report, so he may have thought my comment was directed at him.

People report to me on their visits to the hospital giving me details of their care. A woman whose children were ill with high fevers even to the point of vomiting blood, asked a nurse if there were any cases of swine flu here. He said no. And she asked them if they tested for it, and he said, no. It seemed so obviously ridiculous that I thought it was funny.

Dr. Gross ended up answering the question saying they had tested sample type groups and there were no cases here. He went on to say there was a stomach virus going around.

But what wasn't said by me was that nurses were understaffed that night in the ER and the other nurses were tired and exasperated, to the point of saying they couldn't take it anymore.

I let the other reports from the listeners who go to this hospital slide, because we all should now know, there are serious problems which our new administrators must address.

There was let loose, so I shall join in a bit, that the personnel policies were still dated back to 1991. I knew that, as I have most of them right at my fingertips.

So, that is why when, board counsel, Scott Nave, explained the chain of command to us school kids, I believe at the March meeting, I couldn't find it anywhere written the way he explained it.

The seriousness of this is overwhelming to fathom really.

Moving right along, this hospital cannot pay for contracts and contractors which it has no money for. Where has the reinvestment been? There has been money scattered around like sprinkles off a box of doughnuts.

For instance, Administrative assistant Heidi Sage was voted

"employee of the year" last year, and recieved a two week trip to the Bahamas. That's a heck of a deal there.

Rick Carter was getting lunches and parking paid and a 19% raise.

The nursing registry costs went off the charts when I was just told

that in Bakersfield there are nurses to spare.

$100 pizza expenses were paid out in the skilled nursing facility. (You know Chet they have a $5 deal in town)

Heidi Sage, shown here, during the uncomfortable portion of the meeting.(Nobody is comfortable around a proctologist; and my job is much the same)

But apparently everything has been quite comfortable financially around the hospital as employees were flown to the Bahamas?

Mr. Jamison, an outspoken critic of everyone, but a chosen few sycophants, has played his games on the local radio stations here for a long time. He's attacked people on the air, and everyone has so far let him get away with it.

So, I've decided that the record at the hospital shall be set straight three minutes at a time, once a month. (You might want to eat light before you come to the meeting

)

Since Mr. Jamison enjoys talking, I'll start off August by reading his emails directly into the record verbatim. Then I will read all the evidence into the record each month until it finally reflects what really happened.

Bob Jamison at a loss for words? I doubt it, but I have a lot of his words and I will put them on the Kern Valley Healthcare District record which will be read for years to come.

This record will never be cleared.

Picture of Chet Beedle kissing our money good bye.

The last time the cafeteria was painted, a former employee and her family painted it for free and purchased the paint. Did they get a trip to the Bahamas? No. But now she doesn't have a job. Nice.

And finally, until, the rest of the story comes along, a picture of Mr. Armstrong, which just playing with his name, I would call him Mr. Strongarm. I called him a bully, arrogant, and he showed me nothing that indicated I wasn't right on target.

Armstrong timed my whole criticism on a watch or timer, as I ran over the three minute rule. I'm so bad for breaking the three minute rule, apparently its the most important thing to Mr. Armstrong. Other rules, well, they can be tossed aside at his leisure.

Well, Brad, you're over the 20 year rule, maybe we should put term limits in the by-laws, retroactively too!

Every month at the meeting we can talk about this and you can glare at me. You bring the popcorn and I'll bring the pain.

Truly, the emperor has no clothes. (sorry about the proctology crack. oops)