The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V53
This Website Is Full. Starting With The December 25, 2000
Newsletter, All Future Editions Will Be Posted In The Llano Ledger 2,
Found By Clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2.
BANNER ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE
Publisher's Note: Since the Monday, August 14, 2000 Newsletter will be
extremely long and involved, posting has begun several days early. Be
sure, however, to read the current August 7, 2000 Newsletter found on
Newsletter Text V52. This website is over 80% full. To conserve space,
the Lawson Deposition is continued in The Llano Ledger 2 and can be
found by clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2. T.C. August 8,
2000.
*************August 14, 2000*************
From the substance of LMHS Board minutes and as asserted in last
week's edition, the Hospital is apparently experiencing serious
financial difficulties. Consider the following excerpt from the June
29, 2000 Board minutes:
"V. Review & Approve May 2000 Financial Statement. The
Financial Committee met prior to the Board Meeting this month. Jerry
Farley pointed out that we lost $145,350 this month. Even the clinics
went into the red. This is the end of the Fiscal Year, which means we
made a $263,006 profit for the year. This is not far off from what our
Feasibility Reports indicated. The problem is not what we did but what
we got paid. Ernie Parisi expanded on this. The Outpatient
reimbursement has dropped from 78% to 52% and this goes right to the
bottom line. The only way to help this is to contract internally. This
is only a prelude to what will happen with APC's. They are reducing us
to 48.14%. Jerry Farley stated that we needed to cut expenses. He asked
administration to cost out and bring to the Board anything needing
approval, otherwise go ahead and cut where you feel it is necessary.
The one good note is that AR is coming down. There should be a larger
drop next month as what Mindy Smith has initiated has not started to
show. The Finance Committee recommends the Board of Directors approve
the May 2000 Financial Statement. Motion made by Jerry Farley and
seconded by B.H. Davis to approve the Financial Report for the month of
May 2000. Motion carries."
Interesting, isn't it? Consider another earlier assessment from the May 25, 2000 Board Meeting:
"VI. Review & Approve March 2000 Financial Statement. The
Financial Committee met prior to the Board Meeting this month. Marion
Weyrauch stated that the bottom line for the month was $-170,912-.
Mindy Smith explained that the revenue was down across the board.
Delivery was down almost half their normal admissions. The Clinics were
down approximately 1,000 visits. Expenses were controlled. M. Smith
distributed to the Board Members (See Attached) a graph showing how the
Commercial Accounts are beginning to build. We have signed a contract
with Financial Corporation of America to work on our Commercial Claims.
Hopefully this will turn this problem around."
Interestingly, Mr. Michael Joseph has repeatedly appeared in Llano
Bay Health Care Inc. Board minutes as well as LMHS Board minutes.
Readers will recall from the last Newsletter an Open Records Request
dated August 4, 2000 has been filed with the Administrator for the
"Finalized Contract" between Llano Bay Health Care Inc. and Michael
Joseph for a 30-acre tract of land for the purpose of the Marble Falls
Community Hospital. Consider the following excerpt from the June 29,
2000 LMHS Board minutes also involving Mr. Joseph:
"IX. Administrative Report. F. Discuss Imaging Center. We have
received the appraisal on the building and the land. It appraised at
1.1 million dollars. E. Parisi asked Wade Hutto to review it with him.
If LMHS were to purchase the Imaging, it would save us $400,000 to
$500,000 on the cost of the new facility. The equipment is valued at
$1.6 million. Fleet Healthcare Finance will lease to us for 6.17%
interest and this is locked in, subject to approval of the Board.
Michael Joseph is interested in purchasing the Imaging Center building
and leasing it back to us. Dr. Hoerster, David Willmann and Ernie
Parisi will be meeting next week with the radiologists to finalize the
negotiation."
Fascinating, isn't it? Be assured additional open records requests
will be filed to determine the nature of the relationship between Mr.
Joseph and Hospital officials. Of course, the physicians have their
hands in the pie as well. It will be most interesting to see what is
going to whom and why as this investigation continues. The wheeling and
dealing in Marble Falls, however, goes on and on as illustrated in the
following excerpt from the LMHS Board minutes of June 29, 2000:
"XI. General Discussion. Dr. Willoughby stated that the election of
officers will be held at the next Board Meeting in July. Ernie Parisi
mentioned that there needs to be a Llano Bay Meeting next week. We need
the resolution on both sides. Mr. Parisi's presentation at Marble Falls
went very well. It is evident that the Mayor will continue to be
supportive. No problems are anticipated. August 2, 2000 the Bond Rating
representatives will be here to do due diligence. Ernie Parisi asked
that Board Members try to participate, especially Dr. Willoughby and
Wade Hutto as the Presidents of the Authority and Llano Bay Boards. Dr.
Hoerster asked if the land had been surveyed. Ernie Parisi stated that
the survey should be complete in several days."
Further consolidating and cutting services in an apparent effort to
reduce costs, consider the following excerpt from the May 25, 2000 LMHS
Board minutes:
"Discuss Greater Hill Country Health Alliance. Ernie Parisi explained that we are pulling out of being an insurance provider."
... Makes one also wonder how long the Hospital will remain in Llano, doesn't it?...
Healthcare providers across the nation are indeed suffering serious
financial difficulties. Why? Insatiable corporate greed and avarice.
Not surprisingly, self-serving management will never admit this
outrageous truth, -- the dirty not-so-little secret jealously guarded
by those most greedily greasing their palms and those of their pals.
Shirking "personal responsibility", however, executive management
blames extremely costly state of the art medical technology.
... Technology costs unchallenged by hospital officials, but constantly
and conveniently passed on to patients. After all, medical providers
have care-recipients exactly where they want them, -- literally by the
gonads. Not at all bashful or reluctant to give a hard tug as often as
possible, these outrageous costs are simply passed on. Never
questioned, challenged, combatted, nor seriously resisted. Never.
Interesting, isn't it? ... After all, one hand washes the other,
doesn't it?
Fascists on the Right skewered the First Lady and President for their
efforts to institute national healthcare insurance early in the first
Clinton Administration. Egregiously distorting Administration
intentions, these extremists falsely labeled the President's efforts as
socialized medicine. Nothing could have been further from the truth. In
fact, the socialist Left in the Democratic Party bitterly lamented the
plan not going quickly nor far enough. Interestingly, the truth as
usual lies somewhere in between.
Since nothing has been done in the last seven years, however,
problems within the healthcare system have only worsened. Ironically,
the nation is sadly and remarkably closer to exactly what the fascist
Right fears most, socialized medicine. Unreimbursed indigent care will
only increase, especially since both political parties gleefully gutted
welfare, laughing their butts off all the way to the bank. -- Foolishly
and short-sightedly, without carefully considering the long-term
consequences.
Already, Texas is having serious problems with Medicaid. Not
surprisingly, it's well over budget. Clearly, LMHS is directly affected
according to Board minutes. Interesting, isn't it? ... The chickens
ALWAYS come home to roost. When will self-serving and short-sighted
officials finally wake up?
Federal laws ensure indigents receive healthcare despite inability
to pay. Should that change, expect a revolution. Fascists on the Right,
however, disingenuously lament the lack of supposed "personal
responsibility" on the part of indigents. Yet, most of these
"indigents" nationwide work well in excess of 40 hrs./wk. in low paying
jobs with no health insurance. After all, how else can the "elite" get
theirs, again, laughing their asses off all the way to the bank, while
self-righteously and pompously criticizing the less fortunate?
Outrageously, these same damned s.o.b.'s get down on their knees every
Sunday in church shamelessly professing "love" for their "brother".
What a crock of crap. Damned pitiful, in fact. Where in hell is THEIR
"personal responsibility"? As long as these outrageous hypocrites get
theirs any way they can, ethically or otherwise, no problem. To hell
with everyone else. ... Sick, self-serving, depraved "religion". Worse
yet, greedy "preachers" themselves willingly participate in the
"personal responsibility" ruse while similarly laughing their portly
rumps off all the way to the bank with their parishioners' "offerings".
With heads securely lodged in a bodily orifice seldom seeing the light
of day, these very same morons piously, bitterly, and disingenuously
lament a lack of "respect" for "authority" by the young. Duh. Time to
wake up, friends. We're losing our country.
The following certified mail was received August 11:
LMHS
Llano Memorial Healthcare System
200 West Ollie
Llano, Tx. 78643
August 10, 2000
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Rt. 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, TX 78609
Re: Your letter, August 4, 2000-Open Records Request
Dear Mr. Chorney:
Per your request, in your letters of August 4, 2000, for
information under the Public Information Act, the documents requested
will be available for your review.
You may review these records beginning at 3:00PM and ending at
4:00PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2000. This is the earliest date for
which my assistant will be available to assist you in your review of
the records without disrupting the regular business of the hospital.
As was mentioned to you by Karen Kinard on July 18, 2000, Llano Bay
Health Care did not have a board meeting in April or June, and as such
there are no records responsive to Item No. 1 of your August 4, 2000
request.
If you need additional time for the review of the records, you may schedule additional time through written request.
Sincerely,
Ernie Parisi
Administrator/CEO
*********************************
The following snail-mail was received from the Open Records Division August 11:
Office of the Attorney General
State of Texas
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Tx. 78711-2548
August 9, 2000
Mr. Tim Chorney
Publisher
_The Llano Ledger
Route 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609
Dear Mr. Chorney:
I have reviewed your complaint against two employees of the Office
of the Attorney General, Open Records Division ("ORD"), Assistant
Attorney General June B. Harden and Legal Assistant David Mendoza, "for
their repeated failure to enforce the Public Information Act."
Specifically, you complain of the manner in which Ms. Harden and Mr.
Mendoza handled your complaints to this office against the Llano
Memorial Healthcare System ("LMHS") and the Llano Independent School
District ("Llano ISD"), from which you requested information under the
Public Information Act (the "Act"). It appears that, as you are
incredulous about the LMHS response to your request that the LMHS does
not possess the donor records you request, you expected this office to
require the LMHS to release the requested records. It also appears that
you are dissatisfied by this office's response to your complaint
against the Llano ISD for charges for copies of public information.
While I appreciate your frustration by failing to obtain the
information you seek, the ORD employees have done everything they can.
We have confirmed with LMHS that it does not possess or have a right of
access to the donor list. As to your Llano ISD complaint, we referred
you to the General Services Commission, the agency authorized under
section 552.269 of the Government Code to investigate complaints about
charges for copies of public information. I assure you that this office
is committed to helping citizens obtain the information to which they
are entitled under the Act and in seeking full compliance with the Act
from every governmental body.
Sincerely,
Katherine Minter Cary
Interim Chief
Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
KMC/jh
cc: Ms. Hadassah Schloss
Open Records Administrator
General Services Commission
************************************
The following e-mail dated August 11 was quickly sent in response:
Katherine Minter Cary
Interim Chief
Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
Re: August 9, 2000 Letter
Dear Ms. Cary:
Not surprisingly, your letter of August 9, 2000 is outrageously
non-responsive. Damned right, however, this writer is indeed
"incredulous", not only regarding Hospital and School District deceit
and stonewalling, but also at the glaring indifference and refusal of
the Open Records Division to enforce the law.
Despite having provided your agency with evidence of the existence
of donor records through copies of germane Board minutes as well as a
letter from LMHS Foundation Treasurer Lance Center admitting their
existence, the Open Records Division has indeed sat on its hands. These
records are not excepted from disclosure. Why haven't you taken action?
Just as pointedly, this publication has repeatedly sought access to all
donor records, NEVER just a donor list as you have disingenuously
asserted in the following remark: "We have confirmed with LMHS that it
does not possess or have a right of access to the donor list."
Regardless of your distortion of both Open Records Requests, where is
your proof of the above statement?
Why haven't you provided evidence to this publication of your supposed
"investigation"? Most pointedly, how can you accept as truth assertions
by a Hospital Administrator/CEO who had demonstrably lied in his June
14, 2000 open records response?
You have strongly asserted: "I assure you that this office is
committed to helping citizens obtain the information to which they are
entitled under the Act and in seeking full compliance with the Act from
every governmental body." Sadly, the actions of your minions over the
last several months strongly suggest otherwise. My readers are clearly
seeing for themselves the outrageous degree of corruption extending
through the entire system of government. Should Mr. Cornyn take no
action (as expected) in this matter, however, citizens will clearly
understand the corruption extends even to his office.
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
cc: Llano Ledger website
cc by e-mail: John Cornyn, Attorney General, State of Texas; June
B. Harden, Assistant Attorney General, Open Records Division; David
Mendoza, Legal Assistant, Open Records Division; David Short,
Investigator, Open Records Division; Ernie Parisi, Administrator/CEO,
LMHS; Hadassah Schloss, Open Records Administrator, General Services
Commission.
***************************
The Protect Lake Area Needs (PLAN) August Newsletter has been
posted on Information and Services. Be sure to check it out. The
September 13, 2000 Annual Meeting is particularly critical this year.
Due to lack of membership and membership participation, however,
executive management is recommending the dissolution of this fine
organization.
What in hell is wrong with all of you, dear readers? Don't you give
a damn about your own community? Why are you so willing to selfishly
allow the other guy or gal to do all the work, take the risk, put up
with the crap while you sit back on your ass and complain?
With the recent death of Pat Bernard and the resignation of Zora
Hutchison due to health concerns and other matters, two of the prime
movers and shakers of PLAN are gone. Klee, Whiting and others can't do
it alone. Outrageously, you bitch and moan about taxes, corruption,
poor services, and numerous other abuses, yet, you're willing to do
absolutely nothing, squat, to remedy the situation.
Is it too damned much to spend $5 in annual dues and attend a few
meetings? Too damned much to have your say in a group designed to
combat area problems? Too much to take a little interest in the
community you call home?
If you've given up and willingly taken the shaft without the
Vaseline, why the hell are you reading this publication? -- In record
numbers? Yet, you don't have the courage or generosity to financially
support it by even anonymously sending a buck or two every now and
then.
Some of you don't even have the courage to identify yourselves
while e-mailing for information. ... Despite the fact anyone having
carefully examined this website knows damn well I ALWAYS protect
identities. ALWAYS. The gut-wrenching fear in this community is indeed
stunning. -- And perversely laughable. Sadly, you've gotten exactly
what you so richly deserve from government. Too bad the rest of us are
suffering for it.
PLAN and _The Llano Ledger are not formally affiliated. This writer
is not a member. Yet, we have mutually supported one another and indeed
share the same goals and concerns. -- The betterment of the community.
Friends, if you don't get up off your ass and do your part, nothing
will change. PLAN is apparently dying on the vine due to a public
greedily and selfishly obsessed with itself.
Regarding _The Ledger, while any good publication is carefully and
deliberately designed to be entertaining in an effort to establish and
maintain interest, do readers think this writer aggressively kicks the
ass of egregiously corrupt and abusive officials for the sake of
amusement alone? To titillate readers? To entertain the brain-dead?
Think again. As asserted earlier, we're losing our country, friends.
Quickly. Wake up.
If _The Ledger is indeed no more than entertainment, what the hell's
the point? If you won't provide financial support, why should I do the
work, take the risk, put up with the harassment, and swing in the wind
for nothing more than the perverse pleasure of this readership?
More importantly, without financial support, this publication will
not go to hardcopy. Without hardcopy, no change will occur in the
community. Despite an impressive visitor count, I can't reach enough
people on the Internet alone. Think County officials operate in a
vacuum? Think they repeatedly shaft an aggressively stupid public
without consent of the governed? Wake up. Want to know the true source
of the problems in this County? Look hard in the mirror.
Clicking the About button above the Table of Contents, the visitor
count proudly stands in excess of 24,500. Another record-breaking week,
-- more than 1000 hits in a seven day period. Non-profit and
outrageously unfunded by the readership it serves due to greed,
gut-wrenching fear, and the continuing relentless intimidation of
corrupt and abusive Llano County officials, this publication remains as
always beholden to NO ONE. ... To those willing to "generously" donate
provided they can manipulate and/or control editorial content, no thank
you. Walking away is indeed preferable.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:05pm EDT