Monday, August 4, 2008
Originally published by The Daily Times

Dear Editor:

When there is a wreck, eye witnesses will often have very different views of what occurred, even though they witness the same wreck. Apparently, this is the case with the situation that occurred in the mid-eighties concerning the financial situation of our hospital.

As one who was there and involved in the process, please allow me to offer a different perspective of the situation than the one expressed in this forum earlier.

Blount Memorial Hospital has always been very important to this community. There is a great deal of pride in this institution because the community as a whole came together in the late forties to build the first building. Over the years, the board of directors has done an excellent job of guiding the hospital and making it one of the finest in the area. However, there was a time in the mid-eighties that the hospital experienced severe financial difficulties.

The reasons were varied, but the hospital had just completed a major building addition and at about the same time the federal government changed the formula for payments under medicare, which resulted in a substantial decrease in revenue for the hospital.

Since the hospital is actually owned by the county, the county commission became aware of the financial crisis and was active in determining what solutions were available to solve the crisis.

As a member of that county commission and serving in my capacity of chairman pro tem, I asked Doug Overbey, who was also a commissioner at that time, to serve as chairman of a blue ribbon panel comprised of distinguished citizens of the community to determine what would be the best solution to solve the financial crisis that was facing the hospital.

I believe Mr. Overbey will tell you that was one of the most difficult assignments anyone ever asked him to undertake. Because of the personal attachments and deep feelings for the hospital, emotions ran extremely high. Some of those meeting became very intense and I assure you not a fun place to be. Doug Overbey, as chairman, did an excellent job keeping those meetings civil and on task.

It is true that one of the options that the group considered was the sale of the hospital, but not because Doug Overbey wanted to see it happen. It was merely one option that was put on the table for discussion. But, as an eye witness, I can assure you that Doug Overbey never once advocated the sale of our hospital. In fact, he cast the deciding vote in the County Commission meeting that allowed Blount Memorial to refinance its outstanding bonds and prevented any further discussion of the sale of our hospital.

Moreover, I also know that as chairman of he House Health Care Facilities subcommittee, Doug Overbey has worked hand in hand with the administration of Blount Memorial in regard to legislation important not only to our hospital but governmental hospitals across our state.

In closing, space does not permit a detailed summary of the actions of the committee, but it was at that time that the current administrator, Joe Dawson, took over the reins of the hospital. As one who lived through that trying time, I truly believe that Doug Overbey was very important to the process and I think most who witnessed the wreck will say he helped save our hospital.

Sincerely,

Darrell Tipton
812 Royal View Drive
Maryville, TN 37801

This entry was posted on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm and is filed under In The News.
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