MAYOR SETS COURSE FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR CITY’S UNDERSERVED AND INDIGENT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 5, 2009) -
Mayor Karl Dean announced today the appointment of a community advisory group to assist in developing a sustainable business model for providing health care services to Nashville’s underserved and indigent citizens.
The advisory group will facilitate community involvement for John Snow Inc. (JSI). The national consulting firm has been selected to advise Metro Government and the Nashville Hospital Authority on a more cost-effective method of operating General Hospital and the city’s other health care facilities.
“General Hospital plays a vital role in providing services for our city’s indigent and underserved. And it’s partnership with Meharry Medical College makes it the teaching hospital for a historic institution in our city,” Dean said. “As the health care capital of the world, we are bringing to bare Nashville’s preeminent health care experts and community leaders to ensure our community’s health care needs continue to be met and in a way that is financially sustainable for the long-term.”
JSI will begin to meet with Metro Government officials immediately to gain an in-depth understanding of the Hospital Authority’s current operations. Recommendations will be developed over the next several months on the best model to deliver health care services to indigent residents in Nashville.
Metro Government has provided a subsidy to the Hospital Authority every year since fiscal year 2000 between $40 million and $50 million. In addition to the annual subsidy, General Hospital took out a line of credit with Metro to cover cost overruns. The Metro Council forgave $50 million in debt in 2006. The mayor’s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2010 includes forgiving an additional $32 million.
Community Advisory Group Members:
Adolpho A. Birch Jr., co-chair
former Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court
Jack Bovender, co-chair
chairman and retired CEO of Hospital Corporation of America and 40-year veteran of the healthcare industry
Mary Bufwack
CEO of United Neighborhood Health Services
Howard Gentry
CEO of the Nashville Chamber Public Benefit Foundation and former vice mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville
Sam Howard
chairman of investment holding company Phoenix Holdings Inc. and chairman of Xantus Corp.
Beverly Jacobs
resident of the Hadley Park neighborhood community and former chair of the Community Organizing Committee for the Vanderbilt University-North Nashville Community Outreach Partnership Center
Pam Martin
Nashville businesswomen and president of Cushion Employer Services
Jeff McKissack
CEO of Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Care Inc.
Clayton McWhorter
former chairman and CEO of HealthTrust Inc., founder and chairman of investment firm Clayton Associates
Waverly Crenshaw, ex-officio
chair of the Hospital Authority Board
Rich Riebeling, ex-officio
director of finance, Metropolitan Government of Nashville
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov