WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HOSPITAL COOPERATION?

It was nearly one year ago that cooperation was the watchword for Cape Girardeau's two hospitals. At a well-publicized press conference on May 25, 1993, hospital board presidents and administrators vowed they would "explore collaborative efforts" as a way to improve health care services. They were cheered by individuals and businesses alike who said the efforts were long overdue.

But that spirit of teamwork has since faded. The specter of redundant competition has returned.

At the center of the current controversy are proposed competitive medical office buildings on both hospital campuses.

St. Francis Medical Center is actively pursuing an on-campus medical office building -- saying it would aid in recruitment of primary care physicians. Southeast Missouri Hospital officials have said they oppose the on-site medical office building concept at this time. But they admit that if St. Francis pursues it, they will be compelled to follow suit to remain competitive.

It sounds more like a game of oneupmanship that health care users will lose. That's because this senseless duplication of services will drive up the cost of local health care.

To make matters worse, hospital officials are not listening to the community.

-- The Southeast Missouri Business Group on Health opposes the buildings, saying it would result in costly duplication of services and ultimately higher costs to health care consumers. They pointed to a surplus of suitable office space in Cape Girardeau.

-- The majority of 40 to 50 physicians at a Cape Girardeau County Medical Society meeting in January indicated the buildings weren't needed. In fact, Dr. Kent Griffith, president of the medical society, worries these buildings will become divisive -- aligning doctors with one hospital or the other.

-- Office space is currently available at Doctors' Park. The complex also has room for new construction. Administrator Sara Holt worries that hospital office buildings would "be detrimental to the capital investment" at Doctors' Park and other medical office sites in the community.

-- A survey by the Keckley Group of Nashville -- jointly contracted by both hospitals -- called for greater collaboration. Paul Keckley said there is a perception that costs are higher here than in St. Louis. He urged hospitals to put all the costs on the table and analyze the costs jointly.

Hospital competition is unlike that of regular business. That's because this competition typically demands more expensive equipment and facilities, not to mention the millions of dollars that hospitals write off for the uninsured. In the words of local hospital officials -- it is not an economics-driven system, but a social service-driven industry. What remains is a heavy financial burden for the paying health care public.

We agree with St. Francis' assessment that Southeast Missouri suffers from a "severe shortage" of primary care physicians. But these buildings are not the answer.

What physician wants to relocate in a community divided?

If the hospitals want to pursue physician buildings then do so together -- and build them at a neutral location, such as Doctors' Park.

Don't get us wrong. We well realize the hospitals cooperate on a myriad of programs and services -- including the recruitment of primary care doctors. But equipment and facilities are two high-dollar concerns -- and it's here that cooperation is lacking. This ill-timed proposal could taint other joint projects.

Cape Girardeau is blessed with two outstanding hospitals. But heated rivalry between these two not-for-profit agencies has brought about duplicated services. The nation and state are in the midst of redefining health care needs and costs. We urge the hospitals to refocus on quality and affordable health care -- not to become locked in unproductive competition.

In January, this newspaper published a number of community goals for 1994. Near the top of that wish list was increased cooperation between St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital. We renew this appeal.

It's time for both hospitals to become partners, rather than competitors. Through hospital collaboration, medical services in Cape Girardeau can become the best and most cost effective. The alternative is a divided medical community and increasingly unaffordable health care.