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Hospital protests
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| H&N photo by Jean Bilodeaux Demonstrators protest hospital management in front of Modoc Medical Center in Alturas on Monday. |
June 29, 2007
ALTURAS — Controversy continues to plague the financially troubled Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, but its chief executive believes progress is being made.
Several former employees picketed outside the hospital Monday, the same day that K. Scott Mitchell resigned as the hospital’s chief financial officer after only three months. Mitchell, like many of the picketers, was critical of Bruce Porter, the hospital’s chief executive officer, and Porter’s wife, Christy, an unpaid volunteer who has been highly involved in hospital matters.
In his resignation letter Mitchell wrote, “My hands are tied by the current administration.”
In an interview Thursday, Porter said he cannot comment on personnel matters involving former employees, but he expressed disappointment that some— estimates range from 15 to 35 — picketed.
“It is important to note that Modoc Medical Center is prohibited by law to respond specifically to former employees’ concerns and demands because these are confidential and sensitive personnel matters,” Porter said in a press release. “We would be willing to discuss any issue with any of these former employees if they would like to sign a release for us to do so. We have done nothing wrong and we have nothing to hide.”
For decades the Alturas hospital has faced financial and other difficulties.
Two years ago the hospital narrowly avoided closure after failing to meet a number of state regulations.
Porter said massive policy and procedural changes were enacted. Some employees, including some long-term staff, were fired.
Some of the ongoing problems are financially related. Porter said efforts are being made to reduce the hospital’s growing debt, which is increasing nearly $100,000 a month and has climbed to nearly $8 million. Unlike most hospitals, the hospital is county-owned and receives no direct tax support. In contrast, small rural regional hospitals in Cedarville, Falls River Mills and Lakeview are district hospitals with guaranteed tax support.
Hospital district
Modoc County commissioners, who oversee the hospital’s operation, formed an exploratory committee in January to study possible formation of a hospital district. Porter said he expects a proposal will be on the November 2008 ballot “to ask our community to not only support us but to open their wallets and purses.”
He said the hospital is also working toward designation as a critical access facility, which would increase payments from state and federal reimbursement programs.
While Porter was disappointed by Monday’s picketing, he credited hospital staff for performing their jobs.
“I want our current employees to know how proud we are of the professionalism they demonstrated. Proud of their focus, and how they handled themselves during the unfortunate events,” Porter said in a statement.
“Every employee chose to continue working and focus their attention on our patients and customers, showing their dedication to our hospital and community.”
The future
Former staff members, however, said they picketed because they are concerned about the hospital’s future.
“I resigned when I heard I was about to be fired,” said Debbie Bishop, a registered nurse and former nursing director who led the demonstration. “Somebody needs to do something. Good people have to stand up for what is right. The people of Modoc County deserve better. We can’t afford to lose our hospital.”
Debra Clyde, a former hospital physician, had both praise and criticism for Porter.
“When Bruce came on as CEO the hospital was in shambles,” Clyde said. “The state was about to close it down. It took him almost a year to fix it. We need to thank him for his efforts. But there’s something wrong. Unfortunately, there’s a pattern of good employees being driven off. I worry about the hospital’s stability when it keeps losing good doctors and nurses.”
Sharon Raabe, former dietary environmental services manager and a 24-year employee, said she learned she lost her job while reading the Modoc Record newspaper.
“There was no disciplinary action against me,” Raabe said. “They put someone in my place who wasn’t qualified. It wasn’t worth my efforts to fight them.”
Modoc County Correspondent Jean Bilodeaux contributed to this story and was present during Monday’s picketing.
- By Lee Juillerat
ALTURAS — Controversy continues to plague the financially troubled Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, but its chief executive believes progress is being made.
Several former employees picketed outside the hospital Monday, the same day that K. Scott Mitchell resigned as the hospital’s chief financial officer after only three months. Mitchell, like many of the picketers, was critical of Bruce Porter, the hospital’s chief executive officer, and Porter’s wife, Christy, an unpaid volunteer who has been highly involved in hospital matters.
In his resignation letter Mitchell wrote, “My hands are tied by the current administration.”
In an interview Thursday, Porter said he cannot comment on personnel matters involving former employees, but he expressed disappointment that some— estimates range from 15 to 35 — picketed.
“It is important to note that Modoc Medical Center is prohibited by law to respond specifically to former employees’ concerns and demands because these are confidential and sensitive personnel matters,” Porter said in a press release. “We would be willing to discuss any issue with any of these former employees if they would like to sign a release for us to do so. We have done nothing wrong and we have nothing to hide.”
For decades the Alturas hospital has faced financial and other difficulties.
Two years ago the hospital narrowly avoided closure after failing to meet a number of state regulations.
Porter said massive policy and procedural changes were enacted. Some employees, including some long-term staff, were fired.
Some of the ongoing problems are financially related. Porter said efforts are being made to reduce the hospital’s growing debt, which is increasing nearly $100,000 a month and has climbed to nearly $8 million. Unlike most hospitals, the hospital is county-owned and receives no direct tax support. In contrast, small rural regional hospitals in Cedarville, Falls River Mills and Lakeview are district hospitals with guaranteed tax support.
Hospital district
Modoc County commissioners, who oversee the hospital’s operation, formed an exploratory committee in January to study possible formation of a hospital district. Porter said he expects a proposal will be on the November 2008 ballot “to ask our community to not only support us but to open their wallets and purses.”
He said the hospital is also working toward designation as a critical access facility, which would increase payments from state and federal reimbursement programs.
While Porter was disappointed by Monday’s picketing, he credited hospital staff for performing their jobs.
“I want our current employees to know how proud we are of the professionalism they demonstrated. Proud of their focus, and how they handled themselves during the unfortunate events,” Porter said in a statement.
“Every employee chose to continue working and focus their attention on our patients and customers, showing their dedication to our hospital and community.”
The future
Former staff members, however, said they picketed because they are concerned about the hospital’s future.
“I resigned when I heard I was about to be fired,” said Debbie Bishop, a registered nurse and former nursing director who led the demonstration. “Somebody needs to do something. Good people have to stand up for what is right. The people of Modoc County deserve better. We can’t afford to lose our hospital.”
Debra Clyde, a former hospital physician, had both praise and criticism for Porter.
“When Bruce came on as CEO the hospital was in shambles,” Clyde said. “The state was about to close it down. It took him almost a year to fix it. We need to thank him for his efforts. But there’s something wrong. Unfortunately, there’s a pattern of good employees being driven off. I worry about the hospital’s stability when it keeps losing good doctors and nurses.”
Sharon Raabe, former dietary environmental services manager and a 24-year employee, said she learned she lost her job while reading the Modoc Record newspaper.
“There was no disciplinary action against me,” Raabe said. “They put someone in my place who wasn’t qualified. It wasn’t worth my efforts to fight them.”
Modoc County Correspondent Jean Bilodeaux contributed to this story and was present during Monday’s picketing.
- By Lee Juillerat
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