http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/11/14/public-and-catholic-hospitals-combine-after-all-in-kentucky Comments On: Public and Catholic hospitals combine after all in Kentucky by Max Brantley en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Sat, 25 May 2013 02:00:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss insiderlouisville.com , I was surprised by the lack of comments there and here. After writing the comment above, I searched and found that found similar questions had been raised in Kentucky.
http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2011/10/…
http://tinyurl.com/b26w4ly

Also, it is not just the UAMS Hospital involved, but also the University of Arkansas system. Where is input from the Department of Higher Education and the UofA board? Considering that private entities are already running UA-Fayetteville (the football program boosters), they may be able to offer some suggestions based on experience.
Posted by YossarianMinderbinder]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:24:09 -0600 Arkansas Times
I have no doubt that patients in Arkansas will eventually regret the merger of St. Vincent's and UAMS.

Too many non-patient questions remain: labor union activities, application of state laws such as FOIA and whistle-blower protections, academic freedom, eligibility for state retirement programs and insurance, privatizing of certain services, cross-privilege conditions and supervision (as with ACH); chaplain appointments; swaps of personnel and equipment; appeals procedures; ownership of equipment and facilities purchased under the agreement; and assumption of debt; status of employees as state employees or as private employees.

In addition, the state ledge is now dominated by Repugs who are more sympathetic to the prejudices of catholic extremists. Employees and patients who once could expect some relatively unbiased hearings in disputes involving UAMS, will now face hostility when the legislative shiites and the corporate-minded toads of St. Vincent combine on tribunals.

With the inexperienced bunch of yahoos now in the ledge overseeing the process, I doubt that the important questions will be asked or answered before the merger occurs.
Posted by YossarianMinderbinder]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:37:53 -0600 Arkansas Times