{"id":2655,"date":"2014-02-17T10:23:53","date_gmt":"2014-02-17T15:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.khpi.org\/blog\/?p=2655"},"modified":"2014-02-25T10:53:10","modified_gmt":"2014-02-25T15:53:10","slug":"d-day-today-for-kentuckyone-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.khpi.org\/blog\/d-day-today-for-kentuckyone-health\/","title":{"rendered":"D-Day Today for KentuckyOne Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Waiting on KentuckyOne Downsizing Day.<\/span><\/h1>\n

By all accounts, today is the day KentuckyOne Health will begin to reveal the first steps of its plan to decrease expenditures<\/a> by $217 million before the end of Fiscal Year 2015. Specific details were not offered at the time the cuts were announced, but nothing was taken off the table. It seems likely that some hospitals or outpatient facilities will be closed or sold. We should expect to see clinical programs eliminated or consolidated rather than trying to offer everything everywhere. We will surely see terminations and reassignment of staff members.<\/p>\n

None of this is in intrinsically inappropriate. KentuckyOne has to balance its books. There is much duplication of clinical services in Kentucky, but unfortunately also many areas with limited resources. The challenge for KentuckyOne is to achieve a balance of downsizing, consolidation, and redistribution of services in a way that does not give the appearance of compromising their goal of providing excellent care to Kentuckians at prices they can afford<\/a>. I wish KentuckyOne well. One of my principle objections to KentuckyOne\u2019s operations is that it is using its publicly funded healthcare system in public facilities as a vehicle to promote the religious objectives of its owners. It may even be possible that some of KentuckyOne\u2019s financial problems stem from its position on religion-based healthcare. That may be a problem KentuckyOne cannot fix on its own.<\/p>\n

Help needed from readers.<\/strong>
\nI need some help from my readers. It will take some time for the traditional media to discern what is happening around the state. Please help me collect information in a more timely way. If you have information that you can share, please let us know. If you wish to make your information public, you may use the comment function of this Blog. It is not necessary to enter a screen name or your email address. Email addresses are never displayed but could allow me to reply to you privately. As always, if you wish, you may contact me confidentially at phasselbacher@khpi.org, or by telephone 502 802-5092. Do not contact KHPI from your work phone or email.<\/p>\n

Respectfully,
\nPeter Hasselbacher, MD
\nPresident, KHPI
\nFebruary 17, 2014<\/p>\n

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