$38 mil. bailout for UMC approved

Judy Odierna

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 9:37 a.m.

Clark County Commissioners approved a transfer of $38.4 million from the county's general fund to the University Medical Center's operating fund to cover debt the public hospital incurred last fiscal year.

The money being transferred to the hospital was supposed to be used to construct new parks or to use on other capital improvement projects.

The hospital will get $20 million right away to pay off bills such as money owed to pharmaceutical suppliers. The remainder will be given to the hospital as needed.

The money was promised to the hospital last month.

"If you check around all public hospitals are having a tough time," UMC Chief Executive Officer Bill Hale said. "We are not the Lone Ranger in this. All public hospitals are hurting."

Hale also blamed the deficit on an overwhelming number of uninsured patients taking up the hospital's beds. The hospital is required by state law to treat the indigent, a situation that has left the hospital with fewer beds for paying patients.

"The indigent make up 20 to 30 percent of our patients," Hale said. "We can't discriminate and we provide the same level of care to everyone."

County officials estimate there are 250,000 uninsured residents in Clark County.

The hospital has hired consultants and auditors to pick apart UMC's books to try to identify the cause of its mounting debt, and to determine where cost-cutting measures can be implemented.