TCMH CEO Addresses the CID

Texas County Memorial Hospital board members heard from Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive officer regarding the CID (community improvement district) that will allow a ¼ cent sales tax to be collected within a small section of businesses in Houston for the completion of the new surgery area at TCMH.

Murray explained that although he has been keeping the hospital board members and TCMH staff informed each month of the status of the CID and the resistance that the hospital has faced from a select few over the last year since the CID was being formed, Murray felt that the community deserved to hear from the hospital regarding the CID.

Murray addressed the hospital board members by reading a statement that he wrote summarizing the timeline of recent events that both the hospital and Murray have endured.

On November 19, 2018, the Houston City Council approved an Ordinance, creating a Community Improvement District (CID) pursuant to Chapter 67 of the MO Revised Statutes.  The only purpose of the CID is to generate revenue to complete the surgery department at TCMH.  The CID is funded by a ¼ of a cent sales tax for purchases within the District.  The taxes cannot be used for any other purpose.  In approximately 5 years, the CID tax will cease. 

In response to the City passing the CID ordinance, multiple lawsuits were filed attempting to stop the CID and the Hospital from finishing the surgery department.  Four (4) lawsuits were filed by George Sholtz.  Two (2) lawsuits were filed by the Texas County Commission.  Three (3) of these lawsuits were filed in the Texas County Circuit Court, two (2) were filed in the Southern District Court of Appeals, and one (1) was filed in the Missouri Supreme Court.  Each time, all courts dismissed George Sholtz’ and the Texas County Commission’s lawsuits because they failed to even state a viable claim to proceed. 

During these lawsuits, George Sholtz even filed a complaint with the Houston Police stating that I had somehow committed the crime of perjury and/or fraud by signing the initial CID petition filed and approved by the City of Houston.  The Police Chief carried out his duty by investigating and found no crime had been committed. 

The Police Chief shared the results of his investigation with the Texas County Prosecutor, Parke Stevens.  Instead of accepting the Chief’s opinion and closing the case, the Prosecutor sent the complaint to the Missouri Attorney General’s office for further investigation.  Like the Chief of Police, the Attorney General’s office found no evidence any crime had been committed. 

Other than exhibiting a lack of understanding, the only thing accomplished by the actions of George Sholtz, the Texas County Commission, and the Texas County Prosecutor was delaying patients a much-needed surgery center and waste of public resources and taxes for the cost of all the legal proceedings.  The good news is the CID is back on track.  The CID board met, and the election was held.

Fortunately, the business landowners in the District saw the value and need of the CID and approved it unanimously.  The County Commission was the only “no” vote.  The CID Board will meet sometime in the next few months and it is anticipated the sales tax revenue will begin in 2020.

Those present at the board meeting were grateful for the words from Murray and expressed that local leadership needs to “work together” so that as a community we can continue to accomplish great things for the generations yet to come.

The hospital board members approved a plan that will support several department moves and will allow TCMH to begin using the previous Mercy Clinic building that the hospital purchased last fall.

“Our maintenance and housekeeping departments have cleaned up the building and are currently working on a few minor modifications to get the building ready for us to use in the next few months,” Murray said.

The departments slated to move later this year are TCMH Home Health of the Ozarks, Hutcheson Pharmacy, TCMH Walk-In Clinic and family medicine physician, William Wright, MD.

“We anticipate saving approximately $16K a year just by moving home health to the new location, plus they will be able to be on the same network as the rest of the hospital,” Murray said.

“One of the highlights from the move will be adding a drive thru at the new pharmacy site,” Murray explained.

One of the other many benefits that TCMH is able to offer to certain qualifying patients is the ability to receive prescribed medications at a reduced rate through the hospital’s participation in the federal 340B Drug Discount Program.

The federal program launched in the early 90’s requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to eligible organizations and covered entities at reduced prices.

Murray mentioned that Linda Pamperien, TCMH chief financial officer, is currently doing extensive work to recertify the hospital for participation in the program.

Pamperien explained that the program can save the hospital approximately $2M each year due to pricing alone.

“The program saves certain qualifying patients a lot of money and it is a huge benefit for us as well,” Murray said.

TCMH board members approved an application for the hospital to begin the recertification process to maintain their Level Four STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) designation.

TCMH has been providing life-saving care for patients experiencing heart attacks since its doors were opened in 1958. However, in May last year, the hospital received a designation from the state Department of Health and Senior Services as a “Level Four STEMI” hospital for their ability to respond to patients experiencing a STEMI, commonly referred to as a heart attack.

“The recertification process is required every two years, but the tremendous amount of positive outcomes for our patients makes having the designation well worth the effort,” Murray said. “The training that we pour into our staff and providers keeps them sharp and allows them to function seamlessly when a patient needs immediate assistance.”

Rachel Davis, Public Relations director reported that physician recruiting efforts are underway to meet with family medicine residents from two different residency programs in Wichita, Kansas.

“It is our goal to help those residents interested in practicing in a rural area feel like they have experienced some of the best that our area has to offer,” Davis explained. “Our presentation will include not only information about TCMH and services that we are able to offer our patients, but we plan to share about what life is like working and living in Texas County.”

Davis mentioned that community support goes a very long ways with physician retention, even before the contract is signed.

“I love our community and it has been good to me,” Allan Branstetter, TCMH board of trustees’ member said. “I want to give back to it if I can.”

Branstetter mentioned that he plans to help spread the word to others that more people in the community need to reach out to new physicians.

“We all need to do our part to help them feel connected in our communities so they want to live here for many years,” Branstetter explained.

“The community needs to be speaking up and welcoming our new doctors,” Omanez Fockler, TCMH board of trustees’ vice-chairperson said.

Murray added that having the support of the hospital board is much appreciated with the efforts being made to recruit and retain physicians.

“However, it is equally important to have the support of the people in our communities behind us every step of the way,” Murray explained.

Pamperien presented the financial report for the month of July.

There were revenue challenges for the month on both the inpatient and outpatient sides.

“Overall revenues were down $589,989 in July from our budgeted expectations,” Pamperien said. “Inpatient volumes were down $251,469 and outpatient revenue was down $279,901 for the month.”

TCMH closed out the month of July with total gross operating revenue of $6,438,206.43 with net revenues after reductions and contractuals being $2,843,259.91.

TCMH ended the month of July with a negative bottom line of $31,769.36 and a negative year-to-date loss of $749,829.14.

Present at the meeting were Murray; Pamperien; Davis; Doretta Todd-Willis, chief nursing officer; Amanda Turpin, quality; Linda Milholen, MD; board members, Fockler; Branstetter and Janet Wiseman.

Board members, Jim Perry, OD and Jay Loveland were not present at the meeting.

The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is Tuesday, September 24 at 12 p.m. in the hospital board room.