Watcher's DMH BS Ad of the Week - 8/24/06
If These Acres Could Talk...
A recent DMH Decatur Memorial Foundation propaganda flier hit the mailboxes of residents of central Illinois.
In this flier, there were articles praising the gifts famillies gave to the foundation by their donation of farm land. One article was entitled: "If These Acres Could Talk..." IF THOSE ACRES COULD TALK, INDEED!
I wonder if the Alberts, Arthurs, Frances, Gradys, Halls, Montgomerys, Randalls, Forwards, or Westminsters are fully aware of the gross mismanagement that DMH administration has done to their gifts! I also wonder if the Harkraders are aware that Ken Smithmier literally stole some of the land they donated and built a huge mansion on the property?
I wonder if any of these families are aware that Ken Smithmier and Company have threatened the entire DMH system's ability to do business by violating Stark anti-trust laws and committing Medicare/Medicaid Fraud while giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to pet projects that have dismally failed? When the FBI's case has been totally presented to the Grand Jury and the indictments are handed out in a very embarassing press conference, will these families be able to say they were glad DMH administration was running the show? The federal government will then have the power to strip DMH of it's ability to bill Medicare if they so choose. If this happens, DMH and all it's employees (yes, that means the employed docs, too!) will be out of business.
I think when all the dust settles, there will be quite a few very-ticked-off farm families in central Illinois.
A recent DMH Decatur Memorial Foundation propaganda flier hit the mailboxes of residents of central Illinois.
In this flier, there were articles praising the gifts famillies gave to the foundation by their donation of farm land. One article was entitled: "If These Acres Could Talk..." IF THOSE ACRES COULD TALK, INDEED!
I wonder if the Alberts, Arthurs, Frances, Gradys, Halls, Montgomerys, Randalls, Forwards, or Westminsters are fully aware of the gross mismanagement that DMH administration has done to their gifts! I also wonder if the Harkraders are aware that Ken Smithmier literally stole some of the land they donated and built a huge mansion on the property?
I wonder if any of these families are aware that Ken Smithmier and Company have threatened the entire DMH system's ability to do business by violating Stark anti-trust laws and committing Medicare/Medicaid Fraud while giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to pet projects that have dismally failed? When the FBI's case has been totally presented to the Grand Jury and the indictments are handed out in a very embarassing press conference, will these families be able to say they were glad DMH administration was running the show? The federal government will then have the power to strip DMH of it's ability to bill Medicare if they so choose. If this happens, DMH and all it's employees (yes, that means the employed docs, too!) will be out of business.
I think when all the dust settles, there will be quite a few very-ticked-off farm families in central Illinois.
posted by Watcher2300 at 8/24/2006 06:28:00 PM
13 Comments:
I hear it is all over with, is that true? I hope not. If so, then crime really does pay. I was told they just got a smack and some hefty fines. Also, why are they trying to raise money for their heart center? Aren't heart surgeries big $$$ ?
If they would have been found guilty and paid fines, surely WCIA or WICS would have reported it. I would have also expected the State Journal Register and the News-Gazette in Champaign to have reported on it.
I have heard that the Grand Jury is still hearing testimony and going over evidence. If that is still happening, then "it ain't over."
Why is DMH raising money for their heart center? Well...look at salaries of 12 doctors doing the work of 7, and then add in the big salaries administration is making, not to mention the failures of Dr. Sharon Collins' Snake Oil Emporium.
DMH's ledgers are way behind on cash. Mismanagement is the answer.
I think you heard wrong, unfortunately. The investigation was dropped when Mr. Pittenger retired. He offered to continue his work if he could work in Decatur, but he was told he had to work from Springfield. There are your tax dollars at work, folks. I wonder how much money was wasted by the government on this go nowhere partial probe, not to mention innocent people who had to blow tens of thousands of dollars on attorneys when all their medical and personal financial records were subpeonaed. It's disgusting, and I hope the DMH Board will have the backbone to at least send their administrators packing. These men are an utter disgrace, and everyone who works at their hospital is miserable.
It is no secret that there is (has been) an investigation.
It is no secret that there is (has been) a great deal of documents and interviews to go through.
Why then, is it unknown what the status of the investigation is?
You have had some repoire with Mr. Pettenger. While he cannot release details, he could at least tell you if the investigation was completed and fines paid...or going to the grand jury.
At the outset the investigators have all said that it is a very complex case with many intricate details regarding the business relationships of DMH. Their timeline was estimated to be three years. I think they are about two to two and one half years into the investigation now, so ????
To Whom It May Concern:
The person within the legal system who is aware of the Grand Jury hearing testimony gave this information as little as six weeks ago, many months AFTER Mr. Pettinger retired.
No, it IS still going on. We WILL see the indictments. It is only a matter of time.
An independent source from that mentioned previously has confirmed:
The Grand Jury IS STILL HEARING testimony and going over evidence. The word is that this process in this particular case is slower than normal, and that FEDS ARE NOT GIVING UP ON THIS CASE.
Sorry, Ken. You are NOT off the hook.
And you won't be.
Chicago -
CHICAGO -- Fitch Ratings affirms the 'A+' rating on the $29.7 million Illinois Health Facilities Authority revenue bonds, series 2001 (Decatur Memorial Hospital) currently outstanding. In addition, Fitch affirms the 'A+' underlying rating on the currently outstanding $42 million Illinois Health Facilities Authority revenue refunding bonds, series 1996 A&B (Decatur Memorial Hospital). The Rating Outlook is Stable.
The rating affirmation and Stable Outlook are based on Decatur Memorial Hospital's (DMH) strong and stable market share, solid cash flow generation, strong debt service coverage and excellent management practices. Credit concerns include vulnerable service area characteristics and weaker than normal operating results through the nine-month interim period ended June 30, 2006.
DMH is the dominant market share provider in its primary service area (PSA) of Macon County, IL. Since fiscal 2004 DMH has maintained a 72% market share (excluding psychiatric admissions) in the PSA while DMH's principal competitor, St. Mary's Hospital (part of Hospital Sisters Health System), has approximately 28% of market admissions. DMH began its open heart surgery program in May 2002 and opened its second wholly-owned, free-standing imaging center in February 2004. The open heart surgery center has attracted volume for cardiac services that formerly flowed primarily to competitors in Springfield, IL, 39 miles away. Solid operating cash flow margins of 15.3%, 10.0% and 10.4% in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, allowed management to fund capital improvements without additional debt. Capital investment has averaged almost $28 million in each of the last four fiscal years. DMH expects capital spending levels to moderate to $15 million-$17 million per year, which is expected to bolster DMH's balance sheet. Debt service coverage in fiscal 2005 was very strong at 6.6 times (x), up from 5.6x for fiscal 2004 and well above the Fitch's 'A' median of 3.9x. Through the nine-month interim period ended June 30, 2006 debt service coverage remains a robust 6.4x. Fitch believes the proactive management practices at DMH, which include adoption of many Sarbanes-Oxley initiatives, investment in information technology and recruitment of certain sub-specialists in orthopedics and radiology, have been a significant contributor to the organization's history of solid financial results. DMH does not anticipate additional debt plans over the near term.
DMH has made substantial investments in information technology and expects to be fully electronic with the implementation of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) in January 2007. Fitch believes the conversion to electronic medical records and CPOE will further DMH's market position by more closely tying area physicians to the hospital through the use of a common information platform.
Despite DMH's favorable financial profile, the demographic characteristics of the service area are relatively weak. The population in Macon County, which accounted for 79% of DMH's admissions in fiscal 2005, declined by 4.0% from 2000 to 2005, while household wealth indicators remain below state and national averages. More recently, the service area has benefited from the current economic success of major employers such as Archer Daniels Midland and Caterpillar. However, Fitch believes DMH is vulnerable to changes in operating fortunes of these large employers. Through the nine-month interim period ended June 30, 2006 DMH's operating margin declined to 0.4% from 3.2% for fiscal 2005. Fiscal year 2006 operating results (ending Sept 30, 2006) are expected to be below historical levels due to non-receipt of Illinois Medicaid Provider Tax Program revenue as the State awaits program approval from CMS, higher than budgeted medical claims in DMH's self insured medical plan and lower than budgeted patient volumes, which are being experienced by other facilities in the region. Fitch believes that 2006 results have been impacted by many one time factors and that operating margins will approach historical levels in FY 2007.
DMH operates 285 acute-care beds and 54 long-term care beds in Decatur, IL (approximately 123 southwest of St. Louis and 177 miles southeast of Chicago). DMH is the sole obligor on the bonds and comprises 84% of total assets and 99% of total revenues for its parent company, DMH Health System. In fiscal 2005, DMH Health System reported total revenue of approximately $262 million. DMH covenants to disclose only annual audited financial information to the Nationally Recognized Municipal Securities Information Repositories (NRMSIRS) and not quarterly financial information, which Fitch views negatively. However, Fitch notes that DMH's disclosure covenants reflect market standards at the time of series 2001 issuance. Currently, DHM does provide quarterly and annual audited information to bondholders upon request.
Fitch affirms the following at 'A+':
$29,715,000 Illinois Health Facilities Authority (Decatur Memorial Hospital) revenue bonds, series 2001;$22,900,000 Illinois Health Facilities Authority (Decatur Memorial Hospital) health adjustable-rate revenue bonds, series 1996A (insured by MBIA, whose insurer financial strength is rated 'AAA' by Fitch; Fitch was not asked to rate the bonds based on the liquidity facility provided by Bank One, N.A.); $19,115,000 Illinois Health Facilities Authority (Decatur Memorial Hospital) health revenue bonds, series 1996B (insured by MBIA).
Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.
I wonder if Fitch Ratings is aware of the FBI investigation of the hospital, and the upcoming imprisonment of it's administrators?
When you commit crimes to get ahead, your financial outlook always looks good.
Sort of like Enron. Does anyone remember Enron?
So is anyone else going down with DMH I question Midwest Credit and their procedure for collecting debts for the hospital. I have heard thru the grapevine that MCCI is also in a pinch due to the illegal collecting they have done in the past. Also DMH has pulled the accounts from MCCI and everything is being sent to a lawfirm. Anyone else hear of this I know for a fact Pittenger has been told of illegal collections I wonder if his investigation into MCCI is sincere?
Midwest Credit and Collections should be investigated also they are fully aware that they made mistakes in collecting for DMH. I just wonder if DMH will stand with them when they disclose the collecting practices they have instituted against former patients. I for one have not had a collections against myself but do know of people who did and MCCI has pulled some illegal stunts and Pitenger knows what they are and I hope he is investigating them as well.
Where did Mr. Muresan dissappear to ?
Is the DMH pain clinic actually a "failed patient' Center.
Last I heard, Dr. Muresan was asked to leave by DMH administration. Her dismissal was so swift that many patients didn't know she was gone until they showed up for their next appointment.
A contact within DMH told me the reason she was let go was because she wasn't referring enough people to the interventional radiologists. Now, there is NO PAIN SPECIALIST PHYSICIAN at DMH. The radiology department does some injections, I think, but that's it. I think Ken was too cheap to pay her and thought the intervential radiologists could make him more money. Poor care for the patients needing a Pain Specialist, but more money for Ken's "dividend income."
Pain clinic at DMH? No way!
The interventional radiologists now handle the "pian clinic".
Get serious, folks. Interventional radiologists are x-ray doctors.
A real pain clinic is run by anesthesiologists - doctors who specialize in the administration of medicines to control pain.
St. Mary's has the only real pain clinic in Decatur. They have the only doctor who is board certified in pain management.
Simple choice for me if I need pain management. I'll go to the doctor who specializes in it. That means I will go to St. Mary's.
Wonder why Dr. Moore at DMH is no longer involved in the pain clinic (term used loosely) at DMH? He was great at pain management and has the training and expertise required.
Could it be because Smithmier has poured so much money into his interventional radiology program that Dr. Moore was booted out of pain management because he didn't fit into Ken's vision?
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