Creepy
The merger of a state institution with a church institution is a bold and creepy idea, the creepiness weighing more heavily in our estimation. Anything that might infringe on the separation of church and state is cause for alarm.
Chancellor Dan Rahn of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has revealed that UAMS is studying a possible merger with St. Vincent Infirmary health system. Any such proposal needs study by a lot more people than the U of A insiders, who have fairly often demonstrated a disregard for sharing information with the public. One of the biggest questions about this project is whether association with St. Vincent, a Catholic institution with no pretense of concern about the general public's right to know, would make UAMS even more secretive. But there are all sorts of huge questions. Would UAMS stop providing abortions and other birth-control services? Devout St. Vincent officials would certainly not stop lobbying for such a goal. How many jobs would be lost? The doctors would be taken care of, we assume, but people lower on the pay scale would likely be treated less gently. More people out of work is not good for public health.
Speaking of St. Vincent, UAMS
-
Stormy morning: Shoffner, hospitals, abortion
May 21, 2013A morning report as Arkansas watches the stormy skies: * THE STATE TREASURER WATCH: Can Martha Shoffner really return to work today as state treasurer, overseeing billions in state investments, after admitting to FBI agents that she wrongfully accepted a pie stuffed with a cash kickback from a securities salesman she inordinately favored with state business? /more/
-
UAMS art show reception today
May 15, 2013Works to hang at the Psychiatric Research Unit. /more/
-
Catholic Diocese aims to strengthen religious identity of hospitals
May 14, 2013A friend notes a news article in the Arkansas Catholic and the coincidence of timing with discussions about a merger of clinical operations of the public University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and St. Vincent Infirmary. /more/
-
Morning report: Prescription drug watch
May 13, 2013The morning again begins slowly. But among others: * MONITORING DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTION PRACTICES: Pro Publica has published with the Washington Post a deep look at doctors' prescription practices under Medicare. /more/
-
Huge differences in hospital charges, CMS finds: UPDATE 2
May 10, 2013How is it possible that major and small bowel procedures at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs cost $333,470, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but only $19,740 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro? /more/
-
Former UAMS CFO reportedly out at new job
May 9, 2013Melony Goodhand, who left as chief financial officer and vice chancellor after nine years at UAMS, is apparently no longer chief operating officer at Bristol (Tenn.) Regional Medical Center, a job she took in early March. /more/
-
Behind the scenes of UAMS-St. Vincent merger talks
May 9, 2013The unearthing of background discussions between UAMS and St. Vincent Health on combination of their operations in Little Rock continues through Freedom of Information Act requests. /more/
-
The Do You Remember Robbie Wills Edition
May 3, 2013Merger negotiations between St. Vincent and UAMS, non-partisan elections, the race for the Republican nominee for governor and more — all covered on this week's show. /more/
-
St. Vincent proposal: Run all clinics
May 3, 2013When it was first rumored last year that the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences might turn its hospital over to the Catholic-run St. Vincent Health Services, UAMS said no, no, no, that wasn't in the plan. /more/
-
UAMS hires new CFO
May 2, 2013: Chancellor Dan Rahn has told staff that he's hired Bill Bowes, a Connecticut college CFO, to be the UAMS CFO. /more/
- More »
Latest in Editorials
-
Misquoted
There's embarrassment in the young gubernatorial campaign of state Rep. Debra Hobbs of Rogers. Announcing her candidacy last week, Representative Hobbs said "I feel like this is what God wants me to do." But sources close to God say that He gave her no encouragement and was at most indifferent to her campaign.
- May 23, 2013
-
Say goodbye
It's kind of piling on, admittedly, but we feel compelled to join the call for state Treasurer Martha Shoffner to resign. Awkwardly compelled, that is. She has not yet been convicted of the criminal charges filed against her, and that's an important point. The presumption of innocence has not been repealed.
- May 23, 2013
-
Listen, UA
Any public-university trustees considering merger of their tax-supported teaching hospital with a Catholic hospital should ponder these wise words from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
- May 16, 2013
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Syrian war: Iraq redux
Well-researched and well-reasoned column. I emailed the President urging him not to interfere in Syria…
- on May 25, 2013
-
Re: The crash of Martha Shoffner
Now, Maxine, if Martha Shoffner were a Republican, you know you wouldn't be sad about…
- on May 24, 2013
-
Re: Say goodbye
Because Dustin McDaniel is a law abiding SOS? How dare he speak out after his…
- on May 24, 2013
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
