It was a pleasure today to see a number of members of the Indian River Hospital District Trustees in attendance at the Indian River Medical Center Board of Directors meeting as they heard a detailed review of the history of negotiations surrounding the hospital’s agreement with the District for indigent care compensation.
I was particularly encouraged by new Trustee Alan Jones who told the board “this is a partnership we should nurture.” His comment drew more than a couple of “Amens”.
The review given by the hospital board spelled out an agreement dating back to 1985 and a history of using district tax dollars to provide a very consistent level of funding of the care of residents who are unable to afford the care they need.
In the end, the hospital board members were clearly in agreement that their goal is to stay the course and that they believe strongly in the 11-year-old formula that calls for reimbursing IRMC for costs only, meaning there is no “profit” for the hospital as it works in partnership with the District to care for the county’s indigent patients.
IRMC’s commitment to negotiate in good faith and the positive approach of Trustee Jones and others is reassuring and should give us all hope that these two bodies can now quickly reach agreement.
Signed,
Brian Barefoot
Indian River Shores
