I’ve seen many jump on the MercyOne bandwagon and can’t help feeling some of the story is missing. I’m all for lower costs for patients and hope competition causes Mayo to lower costs, but there’s more to this picture. Mercy is owned by two of the largest nonprofit healthcare conglomerates and is becoming a monopoly itself. They’ve come in promising lower costs, but for how long? The Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition is already trying to get the county and city to increase our taxes to pay for Mercy. If the schools need money for a special project, a referendum is voted on by the citizens. Maybe we need a vote on this. Mercy is known to pay employees significantly less than Mayo, to stay competitive I’m assuming they’ll have to increase salaries. Where will those costs be made up?

If the coalition is successful in getting businesses to offer insurance plans making MercyOne in-network and Mayo out-of-network, patients will be forced to drive further for care or pay more. Mercy will not be offering a local ER so whether you take yourself or an ambulance (which takes the patient to the closest ER) you will come to the Mayo ER, if insurance covers MercyOne — only you’re now paying more out of pocket.

Patients seen at Mercy in Albert Lea who need inpatient treatment will be farther away in Mason City. No SMART bus goes between Albert Lea and Mason City as it does Austin and Albert Lea. If you’re seen at Mercy here and need to schedule surgery, you’ll go to Mason. If they bring OB/GYN docs, you’ll have to drive in labor to Mason.

By law, they’ll never be allowed to offer inpatient services in Albert Lea. I’m hearing they’re restoring services lost, which simply isn’t true. People forget how much is left in Albert Lea, including specialties we’re lucky to have in a town this size. It’s a sad state of things to see citizens hoping the biggest employer in town closes.

For those who think it’s a dying town (which I couldn’t disagree with more), imagine if Mayo closed. I know many think Mayo employees can just walk in to Mercy and get a job instantly, but many will follow Mayo. They’ll follow the seniority and pensions they’ve built up and commute or move to another town where Mayo is present — taking with them money usually spent in town. Many employees are so specialized they wouldn’t be able to find another job with Mercy as they’re not offering those services here. Doctors and nurse practioners have non-compete clauses that prevent them from working elsewhere in town. Mercy has no plans to hire as many people as this town would lose if Mayo leaves. It’d be a great loss! Mayo has been a great community partner, giving generously to United Way, charities and sponsoring community events. Check out the recent U.S. News and World Report Rankings of the two places — cheaper isn’t always better. I hope that people take a look at the bigger picture so they can make informed decisions on their care. 

Sarah Stueven

Albert Lea