outsidelookingin

Info on lease to own/rental homes in TR.......

Last activity Nov 11, 2008 8:38 AM

single bus run for T.R. Schools

Three Rivers Area • Oct 1, 2009 6:25 PM

Their zero tolerance policy means that "they don't want to hear about it". My child was having problems and was told that if it didn't get worked out then he/she (my child being bullied/threatened) would be suspended!!!!! We were told the other kids were disciplined and found out later nothing was done to any of them.

Three Rivers Health

Three Rivers Area • Apr 22, 2009 11:18 PM

Here it is...... Lets get realistic about what hospital needs Published: Monday, April 20, 2009 3:28 PM EDT To the editor: Though suffering the effects of a double fracture and dislocated ankle, Im glad I didnt use it as an excuse not to attend the presentation by Three Rivers Health CEO Matt Chambers Wednesday evening at the meeting of the Fabius Township Board. Between Chambers hour-long show, most of which was unrelated to the need for a two-mill tax levy for capital funds from the voters of Three Rivers and the several surrounding townships, and the Viewpoint by Chambers assistant which appeared in the Three Rivers Commercial-News on April 8, the voters could be scared into voting for the 10-year tax levy. Costing only $150 per year for the average homeowner, or as Chambers illustrated, only a Happy Meal per week (thats per week for 10 years), the funds generated would be used only for capital improvements. Chambers only remark related to a possible failure of the millage concerned the $11 million debt, which would be rolled onto the city and townships. He didnt answer my question as to the value of the Three Rivers Health assets, but Im concluding that they far exceed the debt. Collateral structures such as the HealthTRAC office suites, clinics, etc. would likely be easily marketable as would hospital equipment if the hospital should close. I see that as highly unlikely. While Three Rivers needs an hospital and emergency room, its unjustifiable in any economy to assume the financial burden to provide a facility and services equal to a large metro area (and certainly not Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic to name two which were thrown out for effect). As an 18-year regular patient at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Im aware of the ever-changing technology and soaring costs along with the increases in non-paying patients. While I disagree with their expenditures for weekly half-page ads in the Three Rivers market, I applaud Sturgis Hospitals decision to close satellite practices and centralize clinical services. Three Rivers Health already has a central clinical service across from Three Rivers High School. Eliminating the costs of operating two satellite clinics in Centreville and White Pigeon makes sense. For those with transportation issues, their trips to and from the central clinic could be subsidized on our county transportation system. In over 35 trips to Mayo Clinic, Ive never seen a Mayo billboard, newspaper ad, or heard Mayo-sponsored news broadcasts. Several years ago I questioned Chambers about the expense of marketing here and received only the comment, it doesnt amount to much. But, how much? Enough to add more patient support services or more training to reduce error? Likewise, the expense of new signs, forms, letterheads, etc. which doubtfully bring in more paying patients and in no way enhance the hospitals reputation the single most important asset. Chambers listed a $75,000 maintenance for Health Parkway and a mandated information systems update. Why not attempt to secure stimulus dollars for this. Chambers also cited the need to refurbish patient rooms for the first time in over 20 years. This could possibly be accomplished with an adopt a room program whereby companies such as American Axle, Armstrong International, Kadant Johnson, Pioneer Hi-Bred and others take on the fundraising for a single room recognized by a plaque at the room entrance. Lets get realistic. Three Rivers needs basic ER, clinical services, rehab and ancillary support for specialties. Paying patients go to a particular hospital because their doctor sends them there. If this millage fails, Three Rivers Health will be forced to tighten its belt, but I seriously doubt that it will go away. Further cost cutting was mentioned in my previous letter by combining administrative services with Sturgis Hospital. Add purchasing to that for additional savings. Hospital administration with the time to hold other positions on boards and run fund-raisers for politicians, art centers, and other charities have too much time on their hands. Certainly more time must be spent on providing a quality, affordable health care system for the Three Rivers area. Rebecca Shank Three Rivers

Gentlemen club coming to Three Rivers?

Three Rivers Area • Apr 1, 2009 2:01 PM

This is April Fool's Day so I guess anything is possible, right????????? LOL [:D] What about a Lady's Club too?

Three Rivers Health

Three Rivers Area • Mar 25, 2009 3:45 PM

Originally posted by unowhy And ohhhhh trust me these little exceperts are just merely the tip of the iceberg about their behaviors, actions and rationale about their decisions. A doctor shouldn't haven't reprimand an upper level employee about inappopriate behavior in the hospital parking lot. ("allegedly - of course") Oh, it went on in the parking lot too???? I though it only happened in the "office". [:I]

Three Rivers Health

Three Rivers Area • Feb 20, 2009 11:27 PM

A few things I think were absolutely not needed: spending the enormous amount of money remodeling the front of the hospital only to find that once you walk past the entrance area, its still the same old run down hospital especially the patient rooms which should have been first on the list to upgrade, why administration ALWAYS gets remodeled with new furniture (cherry) and whatever else they think they WANT and was it absolutely necessary to add hospitalists to the staff when they are just a small 60-bed facility. Isnt that just another added expense that gets passed on to the patient. If youre admitted by a hospitalist and also, ifseen by your doctor too, thats another added charge to pass on to the patient. I know Borgess and Bronson hospitals have hospitalists but they are much bigger hospitals. Last but not least, I would send the current administration packing, i.e., Matt Chambers, Steve Andrews, and Laurie Herbert seeing that they have absolutely no problem cutting other employees pay anytime they feel like it, eliminating jobs leaving themselves holding many job titles and probably more money to go with those titles. For example, besides being CEO, CFO, COO, some other titles would be Risk Management, head of Billing, Health Information, Housekeeping, Food services, head of Human Resources, Strategic Quality Management, etc. As far as the tax levy goes, it says Funds generated by the levy are to be used to assist in planning, promoting, acquiring, constructing, improving, enlarging, extending, owning, maintaining, and operating Three Rivers Health. Shouldnt this read funds generated by the levy are to be used for owning, maintaining and operating since they have already promoted, acquired, constructed, improved, enlarged, extended.