Cape hospitals buck trend of cutbacks

Though lack of money has become a problem in many hospitals throughout the state, officials from two medical facilities in Cape Girardeau say they have been wise with their pocketbooks.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Hospital Association on Wednesday released results from a survey of Missouri's hospitals. The report gave a bleak outlook on the state's future in health care.

Missouri has 155 hospitals, of which 118 full-service acute-care facilities were surveyed and 84 responded, The Associated Press reported.

The survey found about 1,000 full-time equivalent hospital positions had been eliminated over the last six months, and a hiring freeze had been implemented for about another 2,145 positions.

Although less than half of the responding 84 hospitals said they have canceled or delayed needed renovations or repairs, 26 are from rural areas where the economic value of a such an investment is a large economic driver.

The total lost investment was "conservatively" estimated at more than $100 million, according to the release.

Service lines being considered for reduction by 40 of the surveyed hospitals include rural health and satellite clinics, home health and hospice, oncology service and inpatient and outpatient mental health/counseling services, the release said.

The reductions of staff and expansions are because of cuts to federal funding ­-- which is estimated to be reduced by another $4 billion between 2013 and 2019 -- high uncompensated care costs and changing usage patterns by patients, the state chamber and MHA said in the release.

And Medicaid reform could help combat the lack of funding, the two organizations believe.

Two Cape Girardeau hospitals seem to be faring fine during the Medicaid expansion fuss and have a handle on what their hospitals need to do to keep it that way, according to statements issued by the hospitals in response to questions by the Southeast Missourian.

"We remain focused on providing the care that our patients expect and deserve while being extremely conscious of the continuing need to reduce costs," said SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO Wayne Smith in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

Though today's health-care landscape is "challenging" in light of the potential cuts to federal funding, Smith said the hospital has not increased prices for its services in four years.

"We have been very successful in balancing expenditures with capital improvements," he said.

SoutheastHEALTH did not specifically address a question regarding job cuts and hiring freezes.

Saint Francis Medical Center president and CEO Steve Bjelich in an email to the Southeast Missourian said the hospital is financially stable, which has allowed it to "look at growth opportunities that other hospitals may not have."

The medical center is in the midst of a $127 million expansion and renovation project that is scheduled for completion in mid-2016.

The hospital has been upgraded to keep up with its growing patient volume, its expectations and new technology, Bjelich said.

Position cuts and hiring freezes also are something Saint Francis has not had to deal with, at least "not at this point and time."

"Nothing would please me more than to say, categorically, no one will lose his or her job," Bjelich said. "However, the full effects of the changes in health care still remain to be seen."

As for Medicaid reform, though many see it as a political issue, "it is an issue of compassion to those who may need health care the most," Bjelich said, and Saint Francis joins the Missouri chamber and MHA in highlighting the need for Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

There are dilemmas of inaction regarding Medicaid reform, such as workers losing their jobs and community hospitals forced to reduce services or close, said Missouri chamber president and CEO Dan Mehan in the release.

"Without Medicaid reform, the state's hospitals will be left without the new revenue from expanding health insurance coverage to the uninsured and will continue to experience increased uncompensated care costs. ... The survey shows that hospitals are beginning to address the fiscal imbalance by reducing staff, delaying and canceling planned capital investments and reducing service lines," the release said.

The survey's data demonstrates that damage is occurring and "Medicaid reform matters," said MHA president and CEO Herb Kuhn in the release. "Financial restraints will continue to limit hospitals' ability to deliver services to Missouri communities and support local economies" without reform, he said.

Medicaid is not a welfare program, Bjelich said, because three of four uninsured Missourians are part of a working family.

"It is our neighbors and friends for whom Medicaid expansion is essential in maintaining the fiscal health of Missouri's hospitals," he said.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent addresses:

211 St. Francis Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO

1701 Lacey St., Cape Girardeau, MO