One of these days (maybe it will be weeks, months or years) there will be a settlement of the embarrassing, unnecessary and divisive civil war in Kansas City involving the Kansas University Medical Center, KU Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital.
The truly unfortunate aspect of this situation is that it didn't have to happen. Secrecy, hidden agendas, egos, selfish interests and less than honest tactics have resulted in this current mess of a deal to forge an agreement among the institutions at the expense of the people of Kansas.
This reporter has written a great deal about the hospital situation (and realizes some may believe it has been far too much). This extremely serious matter deserves far more study by Kansas legislators, Kansas taxpayers, KU faculty members on Mt. Oread, at KUMC and KU Medical School in Wichita, the Kansas Board of Regents and all those interested in what's best for the university and the state.
The effort to strengthen St. Luke's, a Missouri hospital, at the expense of KUMC and KU Hospital has been in the works for at least two years. It was, and continues to be, a well-planned exercise started in secrecy with deliberate intentions to keep KU Hospital officials in the dark and excluded from early discussions.
Two surprising aspects are the almost obsessive efforts of KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and KUMC Vice Chancellor and Dean Barbara Atkinson to force this deal down KU Hospital leaders' throats, and the efforts of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to try to pack the KU Hospital board with nominees who would vote to approve the giveaway to St. Luke's.
What kind of a reward could be so attractive, so lucrative or so rewarding to make Hemenway, Atkinson and Sebelius favor actions which knowledgeable medical observers claim would weaken KUMC and KU Hospital?
The goal, those pushing the deal say, is to win National Cancer Institute designation, and to expand the medical residency program for the region. However, the fact is it is not necessary to involve St. Luke's to earn the designation.
Yet the secrecy continues. Last Monday a small group of Kansas City leaders met with KU Hospital president and CEO Bob Page. St. Luke's president and CEO Richard Hastings had told Page beforehand of the blue ribbon group's desire for the meeting - and that St. Luke's wanted half of the NCI or comprehensive cancer center designation if in fact KU did win such recognition.
The high-powered group, which included Don Hall, Bill Hall, Irv Hockaday, Terry Dunn, Thomas McDonnell and others, met but soon learned KU Hospital officials were not going to yield. Hospital leaders made it clear they had a commitment of $400 million over a 10-year period to KUMC and there was no way they could honor this if there was any division of the NCI designation and clinical cancer work.
Hastings had gone so far as to say, once again, that if St. Luke's couldn't get what it wanted, St. Luke's would work a deal with Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. It appears some members of the Kansas City delegation were not aware of Hastings' threat. As a result, it is believed they left the meeting with the intent to tell Hastings to tone down his rhetoric.
There were no harsh words at the meeting but it was clear the St. Luke's-KC group wants the hospital deal signed by the end of December. They don't want to enter the new year, and the start of the Kansas legislative session, without a deal. They realize growing numbers of Kansas lawmakers have more and more questions and reservations about the giveaway. They know the legislators don't like the attitude of Hemenway and his employees telling the lawmakers they don't have any business interfering or getting involved in the one-way deal.
About the only positive thing that happened at the hourlong meeting was the suggestion some sort of an advisory unit be formed to work closely with KU Hospital and St. Luke's officials and to keep all parties informed. Such a group was formed in New Jersey in a similar dispute and those at Monday's meeting said they thought it would help to create a similar committee. It was emphasized, however, that any such panel would be advisory only, with no voting power.
Those in the St. Luke's-Kansas City group should have left the meeting with the understanding that without KU Hospital in the fold, the deal is dead. They must have the hospital and they realize there isn't any solid deal in place at this stage between the hospital and KUMC, let alone a KU Hospital-St. Luke's deal.
As one knowledgeable observer said, if this matter could be likened to a book with five or six chapters, negotiations at this stage aren't even out of the first chapter, because an agreement between KU Hospital and KUMC is essential before there can be any meaningful negotiation with St. Luke's.
A lot has been said about an agreement "in principle" between St. Luke's and KU but there are few specifics and many details to be agreed upon. Just as KU Hospital officials are not going to roll over and play dead for Kansas City leaders and St. Luke's Hospital, neither are KU Hospital officials going to roll over for KUMC, Hemenway, Atkinson or Sebelius.
KU Hospital officials have an obligation to protect the hospital and its staff. One observer said, "Page would be betraying his staff" if he were to give in to anyone's one-sided wishes.
Also, many knowledgeable persons were shocked Atkinson and Hemenway would accept the $1 million per year payment by St. Luke's for the agreement with KUMC for use of the KU name, its research and medical residents. One person close to the scene called it "an insult."
Some say this is a naked demonstration of how strapped Atkinson is for cash. These people say they are surprised the legislative oversight committee did not look more closely into the big financial commitments Atkinson has made with questionable income to back them up.
Some question if St. Luke's planners have schemed to place KU Hospital, Page and hospital board members in the position of being looked upon as responsible if the plan crashes. They might say, "St. Luke's and KUMC officials agreed on a plan but it was the failure of KU Hospital to play ball which caused the effort to fail."
If this indeed were to happen, the fault would be with St. Luke's and KUMC officials for the manner in which they structured the plan. They wanted to force a giveaway, a one-way deal to the detriment of KU Hospital and Kansas. It wouldn't be KU Hospital's fault.
It is believed some members of the Kansas City delegation were surprised by the physical plant at KU Hospital. They had no idea it is such a successful operation with such a talented staff.
An individual with much health care experience said, "What has happened is that a sleeping giant, KU Hospital, is out of the box and they, Kansas City leaders and St. Luke's officials, cannot put it back in the box. The secret is out and many are shocked at the excellence and role of KU Hospital."
This writer has many longtime friends associated with St. Luke's Hospital, including doctors, board members and strong supporters. It is not pleasant to test these friendships and perhaps burn some bridges by questioning or opposing the efforts and actions of St. Luke's. However, the public certainly deserves to know what is going on, to know about the secret meetings, the damage to the hospital and KUMC, the hollowness of numerous threats made to KU Hospital officials, and the giveaway to St. Luke's at the expense of KU Hospital.
This is the role of a newspaper.
This entire mess deserves the close interest of Kansas taxpayers and state lawmakers. It should be obvious how nervous the St. Luke's and KC crowd are by their frantic efforts to get a deal done immediately, before the Legislature convenes in January.
A newspaper reporter can only do so much in informing the public about a matter such as this.
It is up to the governor, the chancellor, the Board of Regents, Kansas lawmakers and the public to enter the picture with the hope reasonable and properly motivated individuals have the courage to do the right thing.
This is far too important. Any giveaway cannot be reclaimed and any giveaway has damaging, long-lasting impacts on the state of Kansas.
Comments
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dirkleisure (anonymous) says…
"This reporter..."
Dolph calls himself a reporter.
Funniet thing I've read from an "opinion" writer in a long time. Yes, I'm talking to you Doonesberry. Doplh is giving you a run for your money.
"Reporter." Priceless.
The entire premise of this weekly rant is so far off base as to be laughable. The argument appears to be that a successful enterprise on the rise is looking to reach out and expand its influence by moving into a once powerful enterpirse that has shown signs of decline.
And somehow, the struggling enterprise is the one "in control" and seeing all the benefit?
"This reporter" should take off his journalism hat, which doesn't fit, and put back on his business hat, which has served him well in managing his company. This entire process is a logical move for KU, an expansion of the brand. It is good, aggressive business practice.
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (anonymous) says…
It is stunning to see the depth of corruption in Kansas government. Hemenway and Atkinson need to be fired and Sebelius held accountable for her treachery. Sadly, this remarkable journalism also shines a light on just how incompetent the rest of Kansas journalism has become. After decades of one party rule, press release journalism has become the norm and since Sebelius hasn't issued a press release boasting of just how corrupt she is, none of the rest of these buffoons has written about this farce.
jhawkdpt (anonymous) says…
Hey dirkliesure,
This is an opinion page piece...of course he's ranting and should be. People need to step up and complain to our legislators, KU faculty, and KU Medical Staff.
OnlyTheOne (anonymous) says…
Given my experiences at St. Lukes there's absolutely no way I'd want KU Med associated with them!
JSpizias (anonymous) says…
Kudos to Mr Siimon for trying to bring what is transpiring to the attention of the people of Kansas. As noted in the above editorial, this whole process is controlled by the big money people of Kansas City (including Stowers). It's genesis was a report by Benno Schmidt commissioned by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation on development of Life Science Research in Kansas City. The members of the board are listed here
http://www.gkccf.org/about.aspx?id=170
There is essentially zero representation of anyone directly involved in higher education. These are the people to whom Hemenway, Atkinson, and Sebelius have committed themselves (and our educational institutions). The medical faculty have expressed grave concerns about many aspects of the proposed affiliation. Indeed, some have spoken out at the risk of personal injury to their careers. This process is not the way in which life science research was built in such leading life science research areas as San Diego and Durham. In these cities, the civic leaders realized that it is the faculty that determines the level of achievement of an institution of higher education, not the titular heads. Top down dictates are not compatible with such excellence.
Rancho (anonymous) says…
Mr. Simons, I am so glad we have you to keep us informed! I have always found you to be seeking the real truth on matters I have skimmed over. Thanks for explaining what all the "controversy" headlines were about.
Maybe you should write a piece everyday! Then I won't have to read all the tedious "reporter" stories.
Jackson (anonymous) says…
Would a lawsuit be appropriate?
toefungus (anonymous) says…
We owe Mr. Simons a great deal for keeping the light shining on this issue. The University is losing more than they are gaining. Public outrage will further erode KU's support in the legislature. Just like a certain Health and Environment Director, the Chancellor is dancing to the tune of Sebelius.
LJD230 (anonymous) says…
Mr. Simon may be privy to the backroom conversations relating to the proposed relationships between KU Hospital, KUMC, the University of Kansas School of Medicine and St. Lukes, but he fails to appreciate the attendant realities and consequences if such negotiations fail.
The first reality of the situation is this: the KU School of Medicine is NOT a medical school of the first rank. Hemingway and Atkinson would be derelict in their resonsibilities were they not to make every attempt to improve the academic and research reputation of the school. It should at least enjoy a reputation equivalent to that of other schools within KUMC and other medical schools in the Big 12.
The second reality is this: KU Hospital is way too small to serve as the sole teaching facility for the school of medicine. The "teaching" hospitals in Wichita are too distant from the school. As such, the faculties are deprived of the essential academic collegialiaty and discourse necessary for the successful education of young physicians. This is unproven and speculative, but my guess would be that the American Association of Medical Schools and the other various professional organizations, i.e., American Board of Internal Medicine etc., which accredit the training programs of the school have weighed in on the KU School of Medicine's resources to provide adequate clinical experience and have found them wanting in both size and clinical diversity. Without the blessing of the professional accrediting groups, the KU School of Medicine would be unable to fulfill it's mission. In short, the affected residency programs would be suspended and or placed on probationary status until such time as compliance with the very exacting educational and practice requirements required in all the disciplines of modern medicical education are realized.
This is really a conversation about the future NOT of KU Hospital, St. Lukes, KUMC or NCI designation but the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Without a robust medical school known for it's excellence in education, research and patient care, KU Hospital and the affiliated instituions in other parts of Kansas will suffer greatly.
The responsibility for the quality and variety of educational experiences and patient care programs provided through the auspices of the University of Kansas School of Medicine sits with Robert Hemingway, Barbara Atkinson and the Board of Regents. Let them acquit their public trust so that medical educaton in Kansas will achieve a reputation of excellence both nationally and regionally. In my humble opinion, the sustainabiliy and future of the school of medicine is paramount.
Once again, this is NOT a converation about KU Hospital, KUMC, St. Luke's Hospital or NCI designation. When all is said and done, when the final papers are signed and hands are shaken, the real winner in all of these comings and goings MUST be the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Rancho (anonymous) says…
Well stated LJD230. You obviously have some medical knowledge. I agree that all of the "baby docs" should be in the KC metro area. Since KS is the smallest part of KC Metro, associating with a premier MO Hospital would boost it's population for learning.
I think the operative word here is giveaway.
JSpizias (anonymous) says…
LJD,
The question is not what is the cost of the negotiations failing but what is the cost if they succeed. Moreover, you appear to be unaware of the reason why part of the medical class does their clinical years in Wichita and blithely suggest that the faculties are deprived of the essential academic collegiality and discourse necessary for training young physicians. In reality, surveys of students who do their clinical years at Wichita rate their experience as high or higher than those doing them in Kansas City.
1. A poll of KU Medical faculty showed that a strong majority had grave concerns about the effects of affiliation on the hospital and on medical education.
2. The Chief of the Medical Staff and other leading physicians testified before the legislature about these concerns.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/mar...
3. The Kansas Medical Society has expressed its grave concern about the possible impact of the proposed affiliation.
4. The Medical Society of Sedgwick County and Wichita faculty members have also expressed their concerns about the affiliation. One of the signers of the document (Joseph C. Meek, Jr.), is a physician who spent many years at KU Med in Kansas City and then moved to Wichita where he served as Dean of the Wichita branch of the School of Medicine. To talk about removing the Wichita students and have them spend all 4 years in Kansas City is foolish, and ignores the importance of these students and the political support for their presence in Wichita.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/apr...
"Like many other interested Kansans, the Medical Society of Sedgwick County and its KUSM-W (Kansas University School of Medicine-Wichita) task force are concerned about the proposed affiliations of Kansas University Medical Center with St. Luke's Hospital, Children's Mercy Hospital and other private entities. The political endeavors in Topeka are progressing at a rapid pace, and we are concerned that the proper due diligence may not have taken place."
5. You expressed concern about accreditation. I believe the medical school has just recently received full accreditation. As a prelude to the accreditation, Dean Atkinson apparently hired DJW Associates who visited prior to the accreditation site visit by the AAMC committee and made suggestions. DJW Associates consists of Dr. Harry Jonas, former Dean of the SOM at UMKC, Robert Daugherty, former medical school dean, and one other individual. Their major concern was apparently the curriculum and they recommended"curricullum revision" which was implemented at the directive of Dean Atkinson. More information about the principals of DJW and their relationship with KU Med is available in a story published in Tampa, Florida
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/01/Tam...
Fairness952 (anonymous) says…
"This reporter has written a great deal about the hospital situation (and realizes some may believe it has been far too much)." Actually, the "reporter" has written about almost nothing else the past year and a half. The number of cookie-cutter editorials and Saturday Columns written on this one subject -- to the exclusion of almost any other meaningful comment about Lawrence issues -- borders on unhealthy obsession. Doesn't the editor have some family or friends who can perform an intervention? I'm serious. And from a financial standpoint, his bizarre behavior is damaging the integrity of the paper and driving away readers.
dirkleisure (anonymous) says…
Six o'clock - TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign towers.
Slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn.
Locking in, uniforming, book burning, blood letting.
Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate.
Light a candle, light a votive. Step down, step down.
Watch your heel crush, crushed, uh-oh, this means no fear cavalier.
Renegade steer clear!
A tournament, tournament, a tournament of lies.
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
---- Dooph Simons
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (anonymous) says…
The operative word here is corrupt, and all of the deceitfulness of the Med Center's PR flacks is going to change the damage Sebelius, Hemenway and Atkinson are doing to the *Kansas* health care system.
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (anonymous) says…
Incidentally, the time the people at 39th and Rainbow will care about this is when the services they want are no longer available there and the indigent services program at KU Hospital has been wiped out thanks to Sebelius, Hemenway and Atkinson. As Simons has pointed out, this is already happening with some departments as hemenway is allowing them to take their profit centers out of the hospital while leaving the subsidized portions behind to wither and die.
Screw the poor, aye Kathleen?