By PETER HUSSMANN
The six candidates vying for two open seats on the Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees in next week's election generally agreed that the financial loses occurring at the city-owned hospital needed to be addressed but were critical of the methods followed by the current board in addressing the issue.
On Wednesday, the Skiff trustees, with member Jeff King dissenting and Chairman Gary Kahn not casting a vote, adopted the Steering Committee's recommendations to terminate employment for 23 individuals, eliminate another 23 unfilled positions at the hospital and reduce the hours of work for 51 employees. The cuts generate $1.76 million in annual salary savings, though severance benefits and paid time off buyouts will result in one-time costs of approximately $170,000.
The Newton Independent asked each of the candidates running for the Skiff board to give their thoughts on the reduction in force initiative. Their answers follow:
Dr. Larry DeCook: "I believe that the reduction in force had to be the most difficult vote any of the board members ever had to make. I don't know what alternative plans were discussed, but I would have to think that the board considered all other options before laying off loyal employees. I have to believe the board viewed this as the last resort. Without having sat through all of the discussions and listening and exploring alternative possibilities, I don't think in all honesty that I can tell you how I would have voted. I think the lesson to be learned is to make every effort to be more proactive so this doesn't happen again."
Dr. Gary Richardson: "Unfortunately, some reduction in force was needed, considering the financial condition of the hospital. However, I would have voted with Jeff King, as I did not approve of the presence of B.E. Smith in the first place. Much of the monies spent (nearly a million dollars) that were given to B.E. Smith could have been used to improve the financial picture."
Linda Ross: "I agree with Jeff King that this did not have to happen the way it did with outside consultants, etc. But it has gone way past the opportunity they had to handle it differently. Because of lack of competent administration or for whatever reasons, it seems there was no one to make the tough decisions. I do think the Steering Committee worked hard and tried to make sure that patient care was not affected. I hope that is true. I think the cutting of hours is a fair way to cuts costs, if employees get to keep health insurance."
Lois Vogel: "I am so sad that Skiff and its employees have had to go through this long, painful process. At this point, I believe a reduction in work force is necessary. I am glad to hear the cuts should not affect any patient care services, nurse/patient ratios, etc. High quality care is what Skiff is known for and this cannot continue with inappropriate staffing levels or too few care providers to cover the services. The financial challenges with drops in admissions, surgery cases, and revenues with limited or no decrease in operating expenses, make it clear some cuts were necessary. It is always easy to have answers in hindsight, but I am sorry this was not addressed much earlier and without the trauma and expense that has occurred in the past six to eight months."
Bill Ward: "I feel that their action was ill-timed considering the fact that the board is in the process of hiring a CEO and that there will be two new board members. The new CEO and board members may have ideas as how to improve the hospital's performance without such severe staff reductions. I am also concerned about the money being spent on consultants that could be better spent within the hospital. Also, who is responsible to get Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements caught up? Is someone assigned to that project?"
Lonnie White: "In regard to the announcement, I believe it sucks the way they went about it. Leaving people hanging certainly is not the way it should have been done. They should have announced it to the employees first, then to the public. There is absolutely no reason why this couldn't be done. I really believe they came up with the numbers but have no idea who they are going to lay off. I talked to an employee tonight and was told that the HR was going to tell each department one at a time and it could take up to a week for the employees to find out their fate. Come on Skiff, treat these employees the way they should be treated. They are human beings for God's sake. Have a little respect for them. They have it coming and you owe it to them. They are dedicated employees."









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