My Point of View, By Ebenezer Howe

The big news locally last week was the release of the report commissioned by the city, county and Save our Hospital Committee from Quorum Health Resources; the big question: Is a full-service, acute-care hospital in Albert Lea, Minnesota sustainable? Short answer — yes.

Before looking at the report from Quorum I want to look at the SOH committee. First, I have to say that I know I am not on the same page as some folks from SOH. There is such a wide range of views and some have zero regard to actual health care — just want a hospital in Albert Lea. My view has changed somewhat since June 12. I hope the change has all been from what I think I see in Mayo’s action — not following their words with deeds in growth of outpatient services in Albert Lea — and not tainted from listening to sub-committee reports and open forum comments at Sunday evening SOH meetings.

I am into partisan politics and as such, attend Republican and liberty events. I have taken to wearing my SOH button at these events. I get asked lots of questions, but what I like to talk about is the SOH committee and how it came into being in such a short time and the impact it has had. I think a student working on a political science degree could write his doctorate thesis on how this sprung from nothing to something so lightning quick. Granted, we are lucky to have the talent right here in the area. Everyone has their reasons for being behind this effort, and very few are exactly the same.

I spent some time visiting with Jerry Collins, co-chairman of the SOH political sub-committee, following Quorum’s presentation. He is the first person to shed light on why the hospital building moratorium laws exist. It seems it was to prevent what some called, fly-by-night providers who were only in it for the money, from over building hospitals. On page 23 of the Quorum report, a map of Minnesota shows six large and several smaller areas where health care is almost monopolistic. According to Jerry, this same pattern has shown up in every state that passed hospital building moratorium laws. In an attempt to fix a perceived ill, the hospital building moratorium laws enabled hospitals to operate in a monopolistic fashion, part of the problem in Albert Lea.

He also had this quote, made in a speech Nov. 10, by Cris Ross, CIO of Mayo Clinic: “Mayo focuses on complex and serious diseases, we don’t do prevention and basic care well like Health Partners, Kaiser, Allina…” This is the other half of the problem in Albert Lea.

Now to my highly shortened version of the report.

The report from Quorum addressed three options for moving forward. These three options were requested by the SOH committee; Quorum did not just stumble onto them.

Option one: The city and county start a hospital and run it. Quote from the report: “…it is the highest cost option that would require $60 million to $80 million in capital. An investment of this magnitude by the city and county should be considered high risk.” I interpret that to mean — don’t even think about it.

The second option: Seek a capital partner to acquire the hospital (or build a new hospital). This would require a partner that has the capital capacity ($60 million to $80 million) and the fortitude to compete head to head with Mayo. Save Our Hospital group has four prospective partners. I think this should be the option to have the most effort while still pursuing alternatives.

The third option: Continue to negotiate with Mayo on retention of health care services in the Albert Lea service area and at the Albert Lea hospital. This option is the lowest risk option, and requires the least amount of capital. Mayo could support the city and county in the development of a federally qualified health center. My take on this: Application of more government to solve effects of application of too much government — not good! But still an option that might be pursued. At least the first part of it.

Also, the Save Our Hospital group has discussed with political leaders support for conversion/creation of Critical Access Hospital status. Quorum’s experience: it would be highly unlikely to be granted an exception. I would not put this high on an action list but might later.

Bottom line of what I got out of this study is that, yes, a full-service, acute-care hospital in Albert Lea is sustainable with careful implementation and good management.

It is an election year coming up. That means the caucus is Feb. 6, 2018. Everyone has relatives and friends all over the state, so why not get them all to attend caucus and push resolutions to address rural health care?

Alden resident Ebenezer Howe is chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the local party members.