The area’s basic headlines 24 hours after the meeting read, ‘Hackensack University Medical Center, another step closer to reopening a community hospital.’ The State Health Planning Board (SHPB) voted 5-1 at the Nov. 29 meeting, recommending Commissioner Mary O’Dowd approve HUMC’s Certificate of Need (CN) application, in combination with the DOH staff report’s 13 recommendations. TO READ MORE, click here
December 12, 2011
November 15, 2011
The Final Step
On Nov. 29 the State’s Health Planning Board will hold its 2nd and final meeting at 9:30 AM in the East Windsor at the Holiday Inn National Conference Center, located at 399 Monmouth St. Final comments will be heard as to whether or not a new 128-bed hospital should reopen at the Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) site in Westwood. TO READ MORE, click here
October 16, 2011
Certificate of Need, Public Hearing – Oct. 19th
The Department of Health Planning Board will hold a public hearing Wednesday, October 19th in the auditorium at Westwood Regional High School in Washington Township. Its purpose will be to hear testimony from the public as to whether a hospital of any sort is needed in Westwood. It’s a procedural activity in the Certificate of Need (CN) process. It IS NOT an assurance of any affirmative decision. TO READ MORE, click here
June 22, 2011
Is Healthcare Need Individual or Business?
To the average person ‘need’ refers to a condition or situation requiring some thing or relief in order to meet a specific necessity. Valley Hospital and Englewood Hospital Medical Center’s recent repetitious ads suggest that the healthcare needs of Pascack and Northern Valley residents should be an insurance policy—to their financial needs. Maybe if Pascack Valley Hospital’s misguided expansion had the insurance of a market area with default needs—to drive patient revenue; we wouldn’t be having this discussion. TO READ MORE, click here
May 25, 2011
New CN Call: Prima Facie or Ultra Vires
Is the foreplay over? HUMC withdrew its legal challenge over the Permit Extension Act (PEA) and its’ application to the expired PVH license. Valley and Englewood Hospital had their appellate motions, to void the DOH’s new ‘Certificate of Need’ (CN) call for a new Westwood hospital, denied. — Now what? TO READ MORE, click here
April 11, 2011
Moving Forward
The end run has been set. Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) received notification from the DOH that its request for a certificate of need call, for a “new” general acute care hospital, has been accepted. (Click HERE to read article.) The process will run concurrently while HUMC’s lawsuit challenges the DOH’s other decision in which Pascack Valley Hospital’s (PVH) license was declared dead December 2009. It’s an irony spawned by politics and legal maneuvers while the Rome of public need burns.
TO READ MORE, click here
January 10, 2011
Fate dependent on others?
The mood is gloomy as area residents look to the prospects for a hospital returning to Westwood. Since last posting in September, HUMC, Valley and Englewood Hospitals have filed briefs in their ongoing legal dance to influence those prospects. (The Department of Justice, representing the Department of Health, requested an extension to Feb. 9th for their brief filing.) Yet, just in case HUMC’s legal efforts crash and burn, which seems likely, they are seeking a ‘Certificate of Need’ call from the Department of Health to address the debated hospital’s need in Pascack Valley.
September 7, 2010
Delayed By Dissent
“It is disappointing that a small group of people, largely those who live in the hospital’s neighborhood, are attacking the village and its Planning Board to delay a project that will serve so many people of our region for years to come,” said Megan Fraser, the hospital’s spokeswoman. “After almost four years and 35 meetings that included exhaustive testimony, investigation and disclosure, the suit is an unfortunate step in the wrong direction.” — This supercilious analysis by a Valley Hospital representative is taken from a recent Record article. (Click HERE to read.) It’s a remark in response to a lawsuit brought by Ridgewood residents hoping to stop Valley Hospital’s mammoth $750 million “renewal” project. TO READ MORE, click here
August 9, 2010
“Working Real Hard”
Thirty-two months and still counting since Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) closed in Westwood. Its’ reopening remains in a state of uncertainty. Mayor Birkner is quoted in a recent Record article; “We’ve been ‘working real hard’ on this issue for a real long time.” (Click here to read) “Working real hard?” What does that mean? TO READ MORE, click here
June 19, 2010
How Do Facts Play Into A Public Decision?
It’s interesting that Valley Hospital and its host community, Ridgewood, have opposing views to its ‘renewal,’ aka, growth. Valley sees it as a requirement to meet future demand and opportunity. Ridgewood sees it as an adjacent school safety concern, traffic generator, air polluter, noise producer and tax impact. A recent Record editorial opinion sees the hospital’s expansion as a necessity. (The Record also notes their observation was an independent thought, while citing their publisher serves on Valley Hospital’s President’s Council, a voluntary hospital advisory board. Click HERE to read their editorial.) Conflicting concerns that ask which ‘facts’ should be given priority in a public decision process? TO READ MORE, click here
May 3, 2010
Why does the public accept political rhetoric?
“Westwood mayor wants Christie to approve reopening of Pascack Valley Hospital,” the headline to a recent article in the local section of the Record newspaper. The problem with wanting is that it’s a synonym to wishing—and nowhere near defining an action. Of course we assume the action, or goal, is about accessible medical care for seniors and families in the Pascack and Northern Valleys; correct? TO READ MORE, click here
March 29, 2010
Is Strategic Planning Important
The future of a hospital reopening in Westwood is headed into an appeal process. The opposition is rumored as hopeful on its chances to win another round in the Appellate Division. The local politicians are rumored to be hopeful that politics will save the day. HUMC is hopefully depending on practical arguments, and an understanding judge with a sensible ear. TO READ MORE, click here
March 13, 2010
What-if ‘what-if’ was considered
The court deferred the CN expiration decision to the Appellate Division. It closed its’ ruling opinion noting, “one is compelled to wonder whether the interests are best served by mandating the licensing process start anew, particularly as the same may have been caused by a misunderstanding of various procedural requirements. Were this court not constrained, it might deem it provident to consider the needs and expectations of our residents to be paramount to procedural machinations.” TO READ MORE, click here
February 22, 2010
Saga Awaits Another Decision
Our new Republican Governor, Chris Christi, offered a fresh view for a New Jersey politician in his budget speech this month; he called for “sacrifice.” He proposed real cuts in government spending in a time when the federal leadership is spending trillions, states, billions and municipal governments, millions.
He asked decision makers to “begin the process of reform,” to “listen to the will of the people and proceed in a new, more responsible direction,” to “live within the means the people are already providing,” to “not take more of their hard-earned wages and savings from the pockets,” to “have the courage to make change” and “to craft a more sound and sustainable budget.” This is a remarkable request—one that will fall on many an elected official’s deaf ear. It has in Westwood, and it has a Republican council, but that’s another post. TO READ MORE, click here
February 8, 2010
Public Need vs. Money and Politics
The pro and con forces are currently battling the legal nuances of which court has jurisdiction over the tentatively expired certificate of need (CN). Its’ expiration was an administrative decision made by the former Health Commissioner Heather Howard. A decision made through the intentional failure to act on authorizing an extension to the Pascack Valley Hospital’s CN. She chose not to accommodate Hackensack University Medical Center’s (HUMC) request as it seeks to reopen a small hospital, placing politics over people. TO READ MORE, click here
January 25, 2010
A Moment for Thanks
This hospital is an important concern to many, for numerous reasons, and its future remains uncertain. Like so many things, life seems to be moving ever so fast. Things change, priorities evolve, and when we rest our heads each night, how many of us thank the man above for what we do have? TO READ MORE, click here
January 18, 2010
Hospital Financial Challenges – Whose Fault
Too many hospitals view themselves in a different world when it comes to the business of services. A recent Record article, ‘New Jersey hospitals continue to suffer financially,’ underscored such in quoting NJ Hospital Association’s president Betsy Ryan, who stated; “Just like other businesses, hospitals continue to feel the economic pressures of the recession, but unlike other businesses, hospitals can’t simply adjust by reducing their output or cutting back on hours.” TO READ MORE, click here
January 8, 2010
A Failure to Care
There are two extremes in ‘business deal’ personalities. There is the ‘gambler’ at one end and the ‘chess player’ at the other. Each encompasses their own skill set and behavioral styles. The gambler in the most basic form is pragmatic but will play the odds in hopes of gaining an advantage. The chess player is analytical, calculating the possibilities for failure. The spectrum between used with flexibility, and applied judicially, can be very effective in achieving business objectives. TO READ MORE, click here
December 28, 2009
Sunset of Hope
The rhetoric of the political status quo failed to produce an outcome that meets the public’s need. What a surprise. Effective today—Pascack Valley Hospital’s (PVH) extended ‘certificate of need’ (CN) tentatively expires. TO READ MORE, click here
December 21, 2009
Scenario Four
“Scenario Four: Large university system wants to expand its network and tertiary capacity by building a new community hospital.” It’s one of several thought proposals on Legacy Hospital Partner’s (LHP) web site. They’re a firm that offers financial joint venture options in a nonprofit industry that requires intensive capital outlays. It allows for collaboration that expands opportunity and the reach of health care access. In HUMC’s proposition for reopening Pascack Valley Hospital it exploits a synergy that would shift the financial burden and risk from taxpayers to investors, while maintaining the mission goals of a successful nonprofit business model. TO READ MORE, click here
December 6, 2009
Hope and Time
Valley Hospital generates profits and builds its surplus as it prepares to expand in their allegedly harsh economic environment. Englewood Hospital burns cash while it seeks a business model that can survive in its market location. Together they’re embracing the law of nature, viewing Hackensack Hospital’s proposal to reopen a hospital in Westwood as a threat to their survival; the perceived need of the public not withstanding. TO READ MORE, click here
November 24, 2009
Strategic Management (2)
Many organizations use a strategic management process to analyze their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. The process is used to prepare an overall business strategy, balancing trade-offs, setting a course of action for meeting short and long-term goals. Done properly, and to remain efficient, it will also allow flexibility to make adjustments for changing markets and/or resources. It is a respected business practice for success and should be part of any hospital reopening discussion. TO READ MORE, click here
November 17, 2009
Strategic Management (1)
Two years and the likelihood for a new hospital returning to Westwood isn’t any clearer. We have a hospital organization, which deferred its application for the extended certificate of need, offering no new guidance as to their end game. We have Westwood elected officials placing a letter to the editor in the local papers saying they’re going to hold the governor-elect to his word. (Sounds good, means little.) We have a multi-town non-binding referendum passed with 72% in support of a reopened hospital. And we have a newspaper editorial presenting the options—“The choice pits expert evaluation against political desire”—but from perhaps a misdirected viewpoint. TO READ MORE, click here
November 9, 2009
A Rational Decision Required
DOH had extended the PVH Certificate of Need (CN) in 2007, initially acknowledging a hospital was needed in the northeast corner of the State. Unfortunately the only applicant, HUMC, had withdrawn its request before a decision could be made. Purportedly they believed a negative decision would be driven by political concerns over need, and wanted to enhance their application’s foundation for approval. TO READ MORE, click here
November 2, 2009
Election Day
A reminder—The following towns have non-binding referendums to show support for a hospital reopening in Westwood: Closter, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Hillsdale, Montvale, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, River Vale, Washington Twp. and Westwood. ACT—Vote: YES TO READ MORE, click here
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October 26, 2009
Words, Action and Disclosure
Bergen County Democratic Organization’s former power broker, Joseph Ferriero, was found guilty this past week. His lack of disclosure in owning a company doing business with government officials was a contributing factor to that guilt. TO READ MORE, click here
October 20, 2009
Voter Involvement Is Now—The Voice That Must Be Heard
The Department of Health (DOH) usually has two hearings to discuss a hospital’s certificate of need status. The first is in the community affected. The second is in Trenton where it renders a decision—The perceived independent advocate for the State’s health and human services is the DOH; except its’ independent certificate of need (CN) for a hospital in Westwood is now immersed in the muck of political rhetoric. TO READ MORE, click here
October 13, 2009
Demographics and Hospital Markets (2)
“More than 90 million Americans live with at least one chronic illness, and seven out of ten Americans die from chronic disease. — For patients with chronic illnesses, geography matters.” 1 TO READ MORE, click here
October 6, 2009
Demographics and Hospital Markets (1)
There are many reasons for doing a market area analysis. The interest in defining a pre-existing hospital’s market area is to determine whether an ongoing operation represents a main source of essential services to Medicare beneficiaries or other at risk groups and to assess an institution’s ongoing viability. The process begins by measuring its product―acute care services, and then determining its geographic service area. There is any number of ways of doing it, from studying an area’s demographics, analyzing a hospital’s discharges, employing a third party designation or developing a location / customer associated parameter. TO READ MORE, click here
September 29, 2009
Hospitals, Business and Need (5)
The State’s Report projected a slower growth in the population as compared to the nation, noting a shift to an older age group in the 45-64 range. This was just one data aspect the Report considered as it assessed the State’s underlying demographics. It used demographics to evaluate the population trend, project hospital utilization, and the future of health care needs in NJ. TO READ MORE, click here
September 22, 2009
Hospitals, Business and Need (4)
‘Bed capacity,’ Valley and Englewood’s battle cry for market share. But it holds different meanings based upon the perspective from which it’s approached. On a national level it is viewed as a motivator for unnecessary care, or supply-sensitive care. TO READ MORE, click here
September 15, 2009
Hospitals, Business and Need (3)
Each of the area hospitals is different. Each has its own management priorities and scope of services that adapts to its patient population and community characteristics. It is a factor highlighted within each hospital by their mix of licensed beds (Medical/Surgical, Obstetrics & OB/GYN, Pediatrics, ICU/CCU). Therefore when excess bed capacity is discussed, one might ask where the excess beds exist and which type of bed is available? TO READ MORE, click here
September 10, 2009
Hospitals, Business and Need (2)
The population share for which a hospital administers health care represents its’ service, market or catchment area, depending on one’s terminology preference. It can be generally measured through a variety of theoretical models with titles such as ‘Treatment-Intensity,’ ‘Elzinga-Hogarty,’ ‘Critical Loss,’ ‘Patient-Flow,’ etc. TO READ MORE, click here
September 1, 2009
Hospitals, Business and Need (1)
What is the primary role of hospitals in New Jersey’s public health policy? The State’s report assumes they’re part of a health system. A ‘system’ that theoretically would be proactive in cultivating an environment where ‘all residents‘ have access to health care resources, regardless of any socioeconomic concerns. TO READ MORE, click here
August 25, 2009
Emotion In Motion Is Not Action
“Hospital executives in this State have an obligation to examine the needs of their communities and meet with neighboring hospitals in an effort to right size the care available.” Suzanne Ianni, President and CEO of the Hospital Alliance of New Jersey in testimony before the Commission on Rationalizing Health Care resources, April 30, 2007. TO READ MORE, click here
July 28, 2009
Misplaced Priorities
What’s the difference between politics and a caterpillar? A caterpillar can change. Unfortunately the politics in New Jersey don’t. To prove it, Governor Corzine chose Senator Weinberg to serve as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Picking a seasoned individual in her mid 70’s, with liberal ideology, experienced in political pandering. The choice should assist in reinforcing past legislative failures, presumably with greater honesty. TO READ MORE, click here
July 21, 2009
Passionate Perspectives
The prior FTC Chairman, William Kovacic, emphasized the importance of health care competition in a September 2008 opinion, stating that, “The health care industry provides us all with fundamental services at significant and vulnerable times. Vigorous competition can promote greater access to cost-effective, high-quality health care.” Today in New Jersey, the significant and vulnerable times of those who live in the northern corner of the State are secondary to politics and profits. TO READ MORE, click here
July 14, 2009
Bobblehead Politics
NJ Assemblyman Gordon Johnson shifted the Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) reopening to a new playing field, introducing the color of patients to the equation. (Click HERE to read.) Just when you thought rationale reasoning was going to offer healthcare a safe return to Westwood the jaws of racism raises it head. TO READ MORE, click here
July 9, 2009
Final Hearing Delayed!
In a perplexing move, HUMC asks the State to delay the hospital license hearing 6 months. According to HUMC’s spokesperson, “”We needed more time to prepare for the State Health Planning Board meeting, to educate our constituents.” TO READ MORE, click here
June 29, 2009
Miles or Speed
July 23rd, 9:30 AM, is the date and time for Bergen County hospitals’ version of a ‘Thriller in Manila.’ The fight card has the power punching of HUMC and Legacy vs. the opposition bolo punching skills of Valley and Englewood Hospital. The outcome for the contestants will determine the primary market rights to an arena of 100,000 plus patients and money. For the Pascack and Northern Valley audience, it will define accessible healthcare in geographic terms for trauma patients. TO READ MORE, click here
June 22, 2009
Tantrum vs. Reason
Idiocy! Valley and Englewood Hospital excel in defining the word as they continue their opposition against a reopened hospital in Westwood. Their rhetoric is simple and passionate as it is empty and unreasoned. TO READ MORE, click here
June 15, 2009
June 8th Meeting — Passionate On Need
Last Monday evening’s public meeting on the status of PVH’s CN transfer approval, was another step in State process for reopening a hospital in Westwood. It was well attended by supporters with a minority showing of bused in opposition. TO READ MORE, click here
June 2, 2009
Opposition Babbles On
Valley and Englewood continue their efforts to oppose a new hospital in Westwood. They recently did another mailer (Click HERE to read) to area residents that repeats their rhetoric. And while some pro-hospital supporters may think it doesn’t matter, be assured, it will be that kind of over confidence that will play to the opposition’s advantage. TO READ MORE, click here
May 22, 2009
Beginning of the End: Hearing Date Set
A public announcement in the Record provides info on hearing. TO READ MORE, click here
May 21, 2009
Beginning of the End: Part Deux
The Record’s reporter, Lindy Washburn, reported the result of the Bankruptcy Court’s decision. TO READ MORE, click here
May 20, 2009
Beginning of the End
26:2H-1. Declaration of public policy
1. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the State that hospital and related health care services of the highest quality, of demonstrated need, efficiently provided and properly utilized at a reasonable cost are of vital concern to the public health. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the State, the State Department of Health shall have the central responsibility for the development and administration of the State’s policy with respect to health planning, hospital and related health care services and health care facility cost containment programs, and all public and private institutions, whether State, county, municipal, incorporated or not incorporated, serving principally as residential health care facilities, nursing or maternity homes or as facilities for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition, shall be subject to the provisions of this act. – The State’s statute directing the DOH’s authority. The DOH appears to have begun to assert that authority, concerning Pascack Valley Hospital’s operating license, (Click HERE to Read article) deeming the HUMC/Legacy application for its transfer complete. TO READ MORE, click here
May 12, 2009
Defining Need
The State’s commissioned report sought to offer a set of guidelines for a growing concern as to why hospitals were struggling financially, which ones’ warranted assistance and what efforts could be incorporated to assist in rationalizing the operation of our healthcare delivery system. Mr. Reinhardt’s introduction to the report, stated, “The criteria we have used … are not thought to represent the final word on the issue, because there are sundry other less quantifiable dimensions to the problem that you would wish to take into account when making decisions . . .” (pg. ii) TO READ MORE, click here
May 5, 2009
Capabilities are not created equal
“Let us all take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and our families but for our communities and our country.” Clinton 93′ Inaugural Address. In that spirit Westwood’s Mayor probably proposed his protest walk from the town’s municipal building to The Valley Hospital. It was an effort to draw attention toward Valley and Englewood’s actions to undermine health care accessibility in the northern corner of Bergen County. TO READ MORE, click here
April 28, 2009
300 Empty Beds
The Valley and Englewood website notes several reasons for their opposition. In the last post, their mock concern over a for-profit motivated decision process was the subject. Based on Valley Hospital holding a quarter billion$ in profit investments, and their actions to consolidate market share, their decision process doesn’t appear that much different from a for-profit operation. Except, instead of paying back investors or reducing the cost of health care, they throw millions$ to restrict competition and deny equal geographic access to all residents. Their next conjured concern — excess bed capacity. They point to the State’s Rationalizing Health Care Resources report as validation to their concern. TO READ MORE, click here
April 21, 2009
Money vs. Accessibility
Valley and Englewood continue their rhetoric declaring the sky will fall if HUMC North is allowed to replace Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) in Westwood. Their expressions of distress, to be polite, are hypocritical at best. TO READ MORE, click here
