Citizens task force tackles long-term UMC solutions

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 9 a.m.

A Clark County's citizens task force met Tuesday to discuss the mission of the region's largest hospital, but in the end the conversation was mostly about money.

The task force members representing industry, labor and academic sectors focused on the financial troubles rocking University Medical Center and UMC Quick Care Centers, discussing the troubling changes in "patient mix" following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that led to a flood of uninsured patients to the public hospital.

That change -- a 26 percent increase in uninsured patients, many of whom could not pay for care, and a decrease of 14 percent in insured patients -- has crippled the hospital, county staff members argue.

The task force spent more than three hours discussing those numbers and the relationship of the community to the dozen Quick Cares, the focus of much concern and attention over the last month. Two weeks ago the county announced it would reduce hours at the McCarran Quick Care on Russell Road and lay off 34 system employees, some of them doctors and nurses who work for the Quick Cares.

County union members, including doctors and nurses who work in the system, fear that more cuts will target them. While the county has not ruled out the possibility, County Manager Thom Reilly insists that no decision has been made on further cuts -- and the task force's recommendations will be a key part of any future decision.

The task force and a half-dozen associated focus groups are expected to meet over the next six months.

Union members at the meeting said the questions the task force asked were to the point -- and gave them hope that cuts could be avoided.

Vicky Hedderman, president of Service Employees International Local 1107, said she is optimistic.

"I think the committee is asking the right questions, looking in the right direction," Hedderman said. "I think the questions on the uninsured are right on. I think they are going to come to the same conclusion on the Quick Care system."

Many of the group's questions focused on the impact of the uninsured on the hospital system.

"They've got to get an overall picture," she said. "In order to make any recommendations on anything, I think they have to see the big picture."

Part of the big picture is a $38 million loss, covered by an emergency infusion from the county, this fiscal year and a projected $15 million deficit next year, according to Reilly.

"Something has to be done," Reilly said. "We just can't continue waiting."

But Reilly said the decision on further changes to the hospital system -- any part of it, including its mission -- must be made with full community input. That is why the task force and focus groups are meeting.

Also, the county has set up an e-mail address for people to contribute their thoughts (UMCINFO@co.clark.nv.us).

"This is an inclusive process and people can get involved," he said.

Mike Walsh, who took over the leadership of UMC earlier this month after the resignation of longtime chief executive Bill Hale, said the decisions on what changes should be made, if any, ultimately will be up to the hospital's bosses: the Clark County Commission.

But the task force's recommendations will be given significant credence, he said.

Walsh said the job will not be easy. Not everyone or every group will agree on the best path to take.

"There's going to be contradictions," he said. "That's going to be the difficult part. They will be making hard recommendations."

The process, however, could provide "renewed perspective and renewed commitment" to the community, Walsh said.

Bill McBeath, president of The Mirage, is task force chairman. He said the task force is not bent on cutting anywhere.

In the early part of the process, the task force members will focus on understanding the hospital's current financial situation, he said. Any decision or statement other than that would be premature, McBeath said.

But looking at the mission of the hospital includes looking at the scope of the services, he added.