July 13, 2007
Editor's Note: This story is updated July 25, 2007. The previous story is attached to the bottom of this one.
The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce voted July 24 to approve a resolution in support of the Thomason Children's Hospital.
The chamber's resolution reads, in part, "that the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce has found the proposal for a separately licensed children’s hospital to be creative, innovative and feasible;
"RESOLVED, that the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce approves of the proposed governance model for the proposed children’s hospital, which calls for a non-taxing 501(c)(3) that satisfies the independently chartered standards for higher reimbursement rates associated with a separately licensed children’s hospital (as attached);
"RESOLVED, that the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce supports the creation of a separately licensed children’s hospital, supports the County Commissioner’s Court’s approval of the $120 million in bonds going to the voters in November and supports the passage of the $120 million in bonds for the proposed children’s hospital."
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also is considering a resolution. A chamber spokeswoman said the next regular meeting of the Hispanic chamber is scheduled for Aug. 15, but that a special meeting could be scheduled to review a resolution, which is under discussion by the chamber's Small Business Advocacy Committee.
Providence Hospital, which operates the Children's Hospital, has argued against the need for another children's hospital in the area. Officials at Providence argue that they already have a full service hospital, although it is not separately licensed. They also argue that the economic model used by Thomason to justify the need for a separately licensed children's hospital is faulty, and that taxpayers eventually will have to pick up the slack if the project is approved and built.
***
POSTED July 13, 2007
The county is set to schedule the public vote on a Children’s Hospital, with a meeting scheduled for Aug. 9 to decide on whether to move ahead with a Nov. 6 special election. agenda
Meanwhile, project proponents are working to rally public support, with scores of presentations and an effort to secure the endorsement of influential organizations. For example, supporters are seeking a resolution in favor of the project from the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, which will consider the idea July 24.
A chamber committee has recommended that the full chamber support the idea in the form of a resolution.
Chamber president Richard Dayoub said that his organization has gone through a “rigorous process” that is not finished.
“We’ve gone through, with the leadership of Richard Fleager and his task force members who have worked diligently for months, a thorough analysis of a very complex issue. They have come forward with recommendations … but any assumption the chamber has now endorsed this initiative is premature,” Dayoub said.
Tenet, the hospital chain that owns the Sierra Providence network in El Paso, which operates The Children’s Hospital at Providence, has been a staunch opponent of the proposal. Initial projections in the feasibility study indicate that the Thomason Children’s Hospital would take some of the market from existing providers. [feasibility study]
[el paso inc background article]
Representatives of Sierra Providence were not available for comment.
Thomason CEO Jim Valenti, who visited the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Wednesday (July 11), said while the Chamber committee’s recommendation is not a final word, “We’re real excited about the decision so far, what they (the committee) are going to recommend to the board.”
County Commissioner Veronica Escobar represents the area encompassing Thomason Hospital and has been a long-time advocate of a standalone children’s hospital.
“It’s gone through a very public process,” she said. The next step is for Commissioners Court to approve the November ballot. Escobar said she believes the court will approve setting an election. “I don’t know if it would be unanimous, but I am wholeheartedly in support of it. Once court approves putting it on ballot it’s full speed ahead.”
She said Commissioner Luis Sarinana has already publicly said he would support an election, and County Judge Anthony Cobos, who has expressed concerns about the financial impact of a publicly funded children’s hospital, also said recently he would not oppose the public’s right to vote upon the issue. Cobos did not return a call and email seeking comment on the issue.