BMC Board Member Laments Low Meeting Turnout
by Barbara Mastriania
CHAPMAN TWP. – A member of the board of directors of the Bucktail Medical Center called a Monday public meeting on the facility’s financial status a flop because there was very low community attendance.
Twelve members of the public attended the meeting held at the Chapman Township Fire Hall and seven of those were medical center staff members.
Board member Ray Bratton said that about ten people other than board members were present and about half of them were BMC staff members. From the public turnout perspective he said, “The meeting was a flop.”
Bratton said he believes Bucktail CEO Timothy Reeves and financial officer George Gerber are trying to do their best “to keep the doors open.” But what needs to happen, he said, is to get the community more involved in helping to raise funds for the facility.
“It’s still a struggle,” Bratton said. “It’s not all okay.” He said the center is providing good medical care but it’s operating day to day. But, he said, there’s just not enough money in reserve to take care of all the maintenance that needs done.
Despite a diligent effort to avoid bankruptcy, BMC officials filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October. Although it had been discussed as a possibility, the move was not expected. CEO Reeves said filing for Chapter 11 was a last resort. Two vendors had filed actions against the medical center for large outstanding debt. One vendor had a judgment against BMC. BMC at the time was unable to meet an October 15 deadline to either work out a settlement with the vendor or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
According to an email response from Reeves much of the discussion Monday evening concerned events since the Chapter 11 filing. The progress so far includes a twelve month cash projection showing positive cash flow. Discussion also concerned the projects to be implemented going forward including things already talked about: 340-B Pharmacy Program, Certification of the Rural Health Clinic, CT Scanner, and elimination of remaining outsourcing.
Also discussed was the need to integrate those into the medical center’s cash projection. The facility is being managed by the administrative team that has been in place for the past year.
Reeves said the plan includes minimizing the effect on employees and the fact that there have been no across the board staff cuts, nor is there one planned. There should be no effect on patient or resident care and also noted the award that was detailed in The Record last week, he said.
Reeves said that BMC’s relationship with the bank has been unchanged since filing and it has agreed to allow the medical center to continue “Business as usual. So far, all vendors, except one who was owed $109, have continued to work with us,” he said.
The larger issue, he said he believes, “is that while we are working very hard to successfully navigate through the Chapter 11 process, it is likely one of the most perilous times in recent history for the hospital. We cannot control every aspect of this process, and the potential exists that it will not be successful. We need the full support of the community; if the hospital is to survive for the community, the community must support the hospital. Use hospital services whenever possible. Pay co-pays and deductibles at the time of service. If you have a balance on the books, make payment arrangements with the business office. In the end it is the community that will suffer if it is lost.”
Board member Bratton said he believes the area community needs to become more involved in helping to raise money to keep the medical center doors open.
The area needs the center for medical health and economic health he said. BMC staff amounts to over 100 employees.
Although the center’s debt is significant, BMC has been meeting payroll and needs of residents and patients
