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Napa hospital cutting 100 positions
81 jobs going away, 19 vacant spots eliminated
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CommentFeeling the pinch of financial challenges, Queen of the Valley Medical Center is eliminating 100 positions — 81 of which are filled.
The cutbacks affect about 5 percent of the organization’s workforce. Nine employees will have their work hours reduced. Positions that have been eliminated or had their hours cut include 43 full-time positions, 37 part-time employees and 10 part-time relief staff, with one-third of them being offered alternate positions, according to a statement from the Queen.
The cutbacks affect about 5 percent of the organization’s workforce. Nine employees will have their work hours reduced. Positions that have been eliminated or had their hours cut include 43 full-time positions, 37 part-time employees and 10 part-time relief staff, with one-third of them being offered alternate positions, according to a statement from the Queen.
An additional 19 vacant positions at the Queen will remain unfilled, while laid off employees are going to receive 60 days’ notice and severance pay.
The departments most affected by the staff reductions include the Queen’s skilled nursing facility, obstetrics, the clinical laboratory, outpatient surgery, radiology, communications, health information management, human resources and performance improvement, according to Jaime Penaherrera, the Queen’s program director of marketing and communications.
The departments most affected by the staff reductions include the Queen’s skilled nursing facility, obstetrics, the clinical laboratory, outpatient surgery, radiology, communications, health information management, human resources and performance improvement, according to Jaime Penaherrera, the Queen’s program director of marketing and communications.
Although the layoffs will not affect any physicians, he said, some nurses will be affected, a portion of whom will be offered alternative nursing positions at the Queen. Penaherrera said the quality of care offered at the facility will not be affected by the changes.
“Queen of the Valley Medical Center patients will continue to receive the high quality of care they have always received despite these most recent changes in staffing. A thorough and thoughtful discernment process has been undertaken by the Queen’s leadership to ensure no gaps in patient care will occur during this time of transition, and that we maintain the high standards for patient care that our staff has so proudly established and sustained since we opened our doors in Napa five decades ago,” wrote Penaherrera in an email.
“Queen of the Valley Medical Center patients will continue to receive the high quality of care they have always received despite these most recent changes in staffing. A thorough and thoughtful discernment process has been undertaken by the Queen’s leadership to ensure no gaps in patient care will occur during this time of transition, and that we maintain the high standards for patient care that our staff has so proudly established and sustained since we opened our doors in Napa five decades ago,” wrote Penaherrera in an email.
The changes come on the heels of a $12 million budget shortage attributed to “inadequate reimbursement rates, increases in labor, supply and operating costs, expensive seismic and other regulatory mandates and sharp increases in charity care and bad debt,” according to the Queen’s statement.
Additional cost-saving measures recently implemented at the Queen include “re-negotiating vendor contracts, implementing budget contingency plans, working decreased hours, by sharing resources with sister hospitals within (the) St. Joseph Health System” and other efforts.
Today, the Queen employs approximately 1,660 full- and part-time workers. Following the layoffs, that number will change to a total of about 1,579 employees. The Queen is the third largest employer in Napa, according to the Napa Chamber of Commerce.
“I am so grateful to our staff,” said Dennis Sisto, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. “They have been implementing several cost-reduction measures over the past several months to help our medical center remain focused on being a good steward of our resources. ... Unfortunately, the reductions are not enough to shore up the entire $12 million budget gap. We must take additional, difficult steps.”
From October to December of 2007, St. Helena Hospital faced a similar budget crunch, laying off 20 employees of the hospital’s total work force of 800. Still, the hospital will not face further layoffs in the near future, said Jeff Davis, St. Helena Hospital’s communications manager.
“There are absolutely no plans for further downsizing at St. Helena Hospital. ... Our focus has been on our core business segments like cardiovascular services, alcohol and dependency recovery programs and diagnostic imaging. ... We’re focusing on new technology and core areas that are traditionally most profitable for most hospitals,” he said.
Davis added that there was no impact on the quality of care at St. Helena Hospital following the layoffs, “because in some cases, we just didn’t fill open positions.”
Additional cost-saving measures recently implemented at the Queen include “re-negotiating vendor contracts, implementing budget contingency plans, working decreased hours, by sharing resources with sister hospitals within (the) St. Joseph Health System” and other efforts.
Today, the Queen employs approximately 1,660 full- and part-time workers. Following the layoffs, that number will change to a total of about 1,579 employees. The Queen is the third largest employer in Napa, according to the Napa Chamber of Commerce.
“I am so grateful to our staff,” said Dennis Sisto, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. “They have been implementing several cost-reduction measures over the past several months to help our medical center remain focused on being a good steward of our resources. ... Unfortunately, the reductions are not enough to shore up the entire $12 million budget gap. We must take additional, difficult steps.”
From October to December of 2007, St. Helena Hospital faced a similar budget crunch, laying off 20 employees of the hospital’s total work force of 800. Still, the hospital will not face further layoffs in the near future, said Jeff Davis, St. Helena Hospital’s communications manager.
“There are absolutely no plans for further downsizing at St. Helena Hospital. ... Our focus has been on our core business segments like cardiovascular services, alcohol and dependency recovery programs and diagnostic imaging. ... We’re focusing on new technology and core areas that are traditionally most profitable for most hospitals,” he said.
Davis added that there was no impact on the quality of care at St. Helena Hospital following the layoffs, “because in some cases, we just didn’t fill open positions.”
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bloodagar wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:53 PM:
WorksInNapa wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:14 PM:
Numbers are funny. What is not funny is that some people are really losing their jobs. I wish all of those the very best of luck.
Just a thought - how much do illegals add to the cost of operating a hospital? Are any real studies out there and not just hipe or gut feelings? "
pernodboi wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:56 PM:
steph wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:16 PM:
NapaCitizen wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:41 AM:
The hospital does have a responsibility to the workers effected. If you're laying off that many workers, they are triggering the WARN act and willl have to report information to the County regarding the layoffs. For those being let go, if you are over age 40 you are entitled to a Decisional Unit Report listing the Job Title/Age/And whether or not they were included in the reduction in force. The law requires this. Since their letting some of the HR staff go, you may want to make sure you're getting what you're supposed to.
Good news is that Healthcare jobs are plentiful and on the upswing. Just not the admin overhead jobs. "
asahigo wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:57 AM:
ohbaby wrote on Aug 8, 2008 3:47 AM:
You know that big, shiny new outpatient surgery center that just opened? Maybe not such a good idea to have spent all that money on that, in retrospect; but hindsight is 20/20. State of the art, and underutilized. That's got to be paid for, and when you can look at your hospital staff and say well, we've got a job to do, we've got to cut costs and we've looked everywhere else, we've got good people and the ones that get to stay will just have to pick up and work harder to cover the ones that we had to let go.
Medi-Cal reimbursements were cut drastically in July, and they were already less than the cost of providing care. In addition, Santa Rosa Memorial built out anticipating the long-announced closure of Sutter Santa Rosa. When Sutter Santa Rosa reversed course and is now NOT closing, that left Sisters of St Joseph with even more outlay of funds that aren't going to provide the ROI that was anticipated.
In short: those of us who lost our jobs yesterday, myself included, are HOSED with hose of hoses !! "
Cadence wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:03 AM:
Those with no Medi-Cal and no money do not compensate the hospital at all.
Hospitals with the most Medi-Cal and can't-pay-a-dime patients must do the most scrambling to stay afloat, and that includes having paying patients pay more. Pay for themselves and pay for the family with nothing - where else does the money come from?
Round I includes layoffs. Round II may well include higher rates. "
WHY wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:04 AM:
car2007 wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:13 AM:
Rich wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:42 AM:
My family now takes the drive to St.Helena for our hospital needs because it is nearly imposable for a paying patient to be seen in a timely manner in Napa plus the St. Helena staff is much more professional and friendly. There are choices and people will go where they feel welcome and that the staff genuinely cares about them. "
kayd44 wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:05 AM:
In about 3 weeks, we will get a bill. A large one. I am still paying for the lab work that was done 2 months ago. We have good insurance, and we pay a premium for it, but we still have our percentage that we pay.
It bothers me that:
1. My payment goes to a medical billing service in Pasadena. (how many jobs were lost when outsourcing the billing to Southern Ca.?)
2. I pay for my services...when so many don't. Should I just stop paying my portion of the bill....seems like I can't be the only one annoyed that people are getting "free" care, when really, I'm paying their bill, mine, and the next person who needs care, via my taxes, or the monthly check I write to wittle down what I owe. "
Ruff Limblog wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:07 AM:
The ER is a big money loser for the Queen and a local ER doctor from the Queen was out pushing for a $0.50 per month charge on phone bills to cover keeping ERs open two years ago. Of course, the 'Usual Suspects' screamed about having to pay $6.00 a year in OMG! TAXES!!! to head-off this oncoming train. But $0.50 cents a month was TOO MUCH in the eyes of our short-sighted Republicans and their enablers.
I also noticed that "inadequate reimbursement rates" were one of the reasons for the cuts. For that we can thank our current "healthcare denial" system, which has generated BILLIONs in paychecks for folks at the top largely by cutting reimbursements and taking forever to pay even that.
The hospital chain that owns the Queen is crippled by inept self-serving corporate management who have a sordid history of pumping up levels of centralized high-salary management while demanding ever more from the local hospitals. Sounds kind of like the inept self-serving American management style of GM, Ford, Oil Companies and Wall Street doesn't it?
Still, we can rely on the 'Usual Suspects' trying to make it about "illegal aliens". It's those brown people picking grapes who got sick or hurt. Never the American style of management...no...no...never.
Rich Republicans deserve to be rich and the rest of us can wait for the trickle down. If the only things that trickles down are layoffs and pay-cuts that too is all Republicans think regular Americans deserve.
~Ruff "
Dwayne wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:44 AM:
That statement is either a horse-pucky boiler plate response, or all those positions were just a waste in the first place, and never needed to provide quality of care.
Here's a thought: They only operate efficiently when the money gets tight, and the rest of the time they waste our health care money with all those "non-essential" personnel. No wonder health care is so outrageously expensive with the pencil-heads saying that, "We didn't need those people anyway."
Statements like that are a dead give away to irresponsible management. "
Winewoman wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:19 AM:
bloodagar wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:30 AM:
AND...
"quality of care offered at the facility will not be affected by the changes." So quality of care in the OB and the SNF WILL NOT BE affected?
Have you seen HOW the outrageous cost of care being BILLED?
My last point: Preventative Care is what is truly needed, or you will have people who cannot pay for services running to the ER where they CANNOT be turned away. Now MAYBE if the Winery-Heads collectively put their heads together to fund Clinic Ole here in Napa, reopen St. Helena's Clinic and take care of their employees....the ER abuse may possibly be lowered significantly. "
Napanee wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:49 AM:
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:59 AM:
If ever there was a good argument for unions, this is it. We cannot continue populating the area with the uninsured. Corporations need to take responsibility for providing benefits to their low wage workers rather than burdening the middle class taxpayers and health care facilities with it. Also, how many waiters/waitresses making over a $100,000 a year actually pay for their own health insurance? How many illegals are being paid under the table for landscaping/construction jobs? We have an underground economy here which not only makes little contribution toward taxes but they tax our system through social services because they can claim an income of only $30,000 a year when it's really more like $80,000.
Physicians in private practice can turn away the uninsured. They are within legal boundaries to be selective. Hospitals do not have this luxury. So when a problem in health care arises, you will first see it happening at the hospital level. It's the canary in a coal mine. "
CharSolo wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:01 PM:
Speak the Truth wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:00 PM:
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:27 PM:
We carry the load. So yes, those sandwiched in between are paying for those within the existing system of socialized medicine. Either we go with socialized medicine all the way (although medical care should never be completely free for anyone), or we create laws which require that all employers provide some form of healthcare, even if it's only a catastrophic policy (like when your medical bills exceed $2000.) "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:35 PM:
Every illegal immigrant entering this country should have proof of insurance and employment. They should not be allowed to bring their families unless they also have proof of insurance. Employers who benefit from immigrant workers should be responsible for the healthcare costs of this population of people. "
wowzer wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:21 PM:
My big issue is charity care and bad debt. In the end, I’m paying for that too. In addition to my medical premiums and co-pays, I am being taxed to cover people who have NO motivation to get medical coverage. They don’t need it because they will never be turned away. Charitable, yes. Out-of-control – absolutely.
I say the Queen starts a work program for people to pay back their debt. Have them assist in grounds-keeping, housekeeping, stuffing envelopes, delivering mail, folding laundry, etc., “stuff” that needs to be done. For every hour of work, they are credited $20 towards their bill. There used to be an Orthopedic doc that used trade goods and services for his care if people couldn’t pay him.
As far as the 81 people who were let go, honestly, I was relieved the number was small and that some of them are moving into other positions. I also think that the Lord works in mysterious ways. We hear that people are loosing their jobs now but I have to wonder where they will be in a year. "
a-ve wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:32 PM:
When an iligal person works, it is the government who takes advantage of them not the other way, they will never get social security pension, but it gets taken off their paycheck, they do not get any of the services that the employer makes deductions for, did you know that they get all the deductions everybody gets and they do not get paid anymore than what they have hardly earned just like everybody else, you are not giving them anything.
Do not panic, because population is growing accept the changes, no one is more that someone else. Some people just work harder and go trough a lot more trouble in their lives. "
napawarrior wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:56 PM:
leavintown wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:07 PM:
footballman40 wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:23 PM:
Lots being mentioned about bonuses. Shouldn't those be the first expenses cut? "
noda wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:33 PM:
enapa wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:37 PM:
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:04 PM:
The free programs were designed for CITIZENS that need help.
It's simple; If your not a citizen or don't have a green card, you get nothing. Take away WIC, Welfare, Medicare and the "Automatic citizenship at birth". Take all these things away and the real immigrants who want to embrace our way of life will be the only ones coming here...legally.
I welcome them in.
I pay $450.00 a month for Kaiser for just myself. We all know Kaiser is mediocre healthcare. Yet, these people come here and get the best healthcare for free!
I have a friend who works at the Queen in finance. 80% of the "bad debt" they quote is from non-paying patients. The collection agency cannot find these people with false ID, SS numbers and address's.
I have worked around these "illegals" in the construction trade. I have heard many "real life" stories of how they de-fraud the goverment. "
wowquebonita wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:11 PM:
Uhm Clinica Ole is located on Pear Tree Lane..not to far from the Queen ;) "
Dumbfounded wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:39 PM:
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:48 PM:
Hospitals are dealing all the time with people who come in and lie about who they are in order to get freebie medical care. They cannot legally turn away emergency cases and are obligated to provide service, even when people lie about who they are.
This article is not about the healthcare requirements of immigrants to this country but to say it doesn't play a role in escalating healthcare costs and quality of care, you're just hiding your head in the sand. The hospital must now scale back, and that will affect the quality of care for everyone who uses those services.
And please, don't forget to mention the underground economy in this valley. Stop at almost any construction site or landscaping firm, or well drilling business; they are all using illegals. What happens when these underground employees become injured? Are they covered by workmen's comp? Don't think so. They just show up at the hospital and falsify their identity. This is a BIG problem and our middle income are paying for it. "
Raven wrote on Aug 8, 2008 7:14 PM:
okay...vocal.....just where do you expect the illegal immigrants to stop and show this proof of insurance and employment....you expect them to walk up to a border patrol agent and say"hi, I'm illegal but here is my insurance card and my job offer"
"How many waiters/waitresses making over a $100,000 a year actually pay for their own health insurance?" where are these waiter jobs that pay 100k? I want one "
Raven wrote on Aug 8, 2008 7:17 PM:
mytwocents wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:46 PM:
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 9, 2008 12:08 AM:
And there are waitresses and waiters who make over $100,000 a year in this valley. Admittedly, they are at the upper end of the wage scale for their profession. I know some of them. They do not report their total earnings. There's a huge underground economy in this valley which extends way beyond the upper end of our hospitality industry. They do not pay their fair share of taxes, and then they abuse the system when they need medical care. Think about the impact on our local hospital. Perhaps it doesn't matter to you until you personally need quality healthcare.
Either we commit ourselves to universal healthcare or we address these discrepancies. We cannot have it both ways otherwise our middle class will suffer. They cannot continue carrying such a heavy load without sinking to the point of irreparable damage. Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?
When people complain about paying their fair share of taxes and find loopholes or ways of evading it (the wealthy are not the only one's doing this), and you combine it with those who support the movement of immigrants into this country; exactly who do you think pays the price for all of this? How much more can our middle class carry before their backs break? Everyone wants to unload on them. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 9, 2008 12:16 AM:
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 9, 2008 6:14 AM:
The only time I hear from the census bureau is when they want to count me.
How many illegals do you think would talk to a govt official?
Todays Illegals are not the dumb ignorant farmworkers of the 60's and 70's. They know how to work our system to their advantage.
Stop "drinking the Kool Aide" people and take a look around at the real world.
wowquebonita,
Funny you should mention Clinic Ole,
I asked an illegal on a jobsite (rather I asked a legal who speaks spanish to ask the illegal)
Why don't they go to Clinic Ole?
His reply was "they ask for money before they treat you and it's too crowded".
BTW, where do you think the money comes from to subsidize Clinic Ole? "
biggrape wrote on Aug 9, 2008 6:52 AM:
Has anyone thought that this might be a leverage ploy for the hospital to get more federal support? It happens all the time.
There are plenty of hospitals in every major metropolitan city that takes care of 60+% indigent population. The Queen is well below that 60% line so maybe it’s the cream of the crop that are not paying their bills; who feel they are “overcharged and shorting the hospital and doctors….
The cost is not only felt by patients, but felt by senior medical staff and physicians trying to cover their costs including a vast increase of overhead costs and limited reimbursement from all insurance lines, including Medi-Cal and Medicaid.
When the cost of healthcare raises, its do to many factors not controlled by any one person. Some of the costs are directly related to the fat cats who the “wine businesses” support though campaign contributions and decided to cut Medi-Cal buy 10.9%. Medicaid payments were due to be cut by 10.5% this year but was vetoed.
All hospitals are in financial crisis. All doctors take the same Oath and no matter what country a person is from they need to be treated like anyone who’s born in the USA. If you or a family member was involved in a major accident and the first person on site was a MD. The law requires an MD had to stop. How would you feel if he or she asked you for ID, Green Card and Co-payment before he or she saves a life? There is no monetary value on life.
The Queen is a very fine hospital. "
ohbaby wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:21 AM:
Don't kid yourself, there are are plenty of WHITE NAPANS who don't have coverage either, and cost you JUST AS MUCH to take care of for free as any ILLEGAL. Do you feel differently because they're WHITE ??? Do they deserve care more?
Do you people call yourself pious Christians? Do you READ the Bible ? Do you LIVE it?
Matthew 25: 35-40
"‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers and sisters of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ " "
WorksInNapa wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:57 AM:
As far as cost go for those of us who are uninsured but pay their bills, I really don't understand how a 45 minute scheduled procedure cost me over $15,000 for the room (not including the doctor). I wish I could rent out a room for those rates! At least I got a discount for paying cash. And yes, I was told out flat from the administrator collecting my money that my payment is helping pay for those whom didn't pay. "
Dwayne wrote on Aug 9, 2008 11:01 AM:
I suggest you look up what "illegal" means, as well as your reference to democracy. Illegals are draining this country dry, while complaining about our hospitality. Looks like reverse racism is alive and well... "
napawarrior wrote on Aug 9, 2008 11:35 AM:
Not any of you are really seeking out the true issue happening at the Queen. The illegal problem has been and is remaining the same it always has, it has not changed.
Looks like the leaders at the Queen are good at covering up...it's too bad they weren't better at running the hospital...oh sorry...Medical Center. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 9, 2008 12:02 PM:
If immigrants (from ANY country) assimilate into a country without making HUGE demands on the social structure, and they are conscientious about environmental issues such as the consequences of over population and over crowding, then it's easier for the system to adapt to the situation.
Hospitals around the country are showing signs of distress right now. They have enough problems dealing with the low reimbursement rates of our existing system of socialized medicine. But then a flood comes along and knocks them off their feet. If we feed too many strangers, we are swept downstream and we really do begin to resemble third world countries. I don't want to go there, do you? Btw, I am not troubled by foreigners. My concern involves the impact that crowding has on an environment. Just go to any over crowded region of the world, ignite the region with a drought and see what happens. The name "United States" does not provide immunity from the environmental effects of over crowding. "
savenapa wrote on Aug 9, 2008 3:05 PM:
Why do you make this yet another racial rant? Everyone here is talking about Illegal Aliens not mexicans or whites. Perhaps you should re-read since you continue to be confused by the facts.
I will say that yes, The white, brown, or green US citizen that is treated at the queen certainly is more deserving of benevolent health care than any illegal, law breaking immigrant from any country.
Why do you take Matt. 25 out of context? We as Christians individuals and corporate entites should live in consideration to Matt. 25. However the Queen is not a purely Christian Organism. It works in conection with the governmental system which is not a Theocracy.
So... go help those that you wish, and give money to the Queen or your Church to help as well. However, Christianity never taught that it should put a gun to the head of the general population and mandate that they give to their cause. God doesnt need those that hate him to support His cause, and it is an insult for you to require (as a professing Christian) that non-believers should give to that which they do not believe in. That makes you the same as the ones that expect you to pay to abort their children. "
what'sup wrote on Aug 10, 2008 1:16 AM:
the executive team--none of whom were affected by the cuts of course--decided to spend $40-50 million on the wellness center and outpatient surgery center, neither of which has provided significant return on investment to date. so the response of the bean counters is to cut nursing jobs. as previously noted, typical for american corporate administration these days--the muckity mucks make stupid decisions which lose large sums of cash and the little guys get pinched in the end. i can assure you whoever decided to lay out the cash for these capital projects is still quite comfortable in his or her position. "
Raven wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:36 AM:
and speaking of deserving of health care, do you mean an illegal immigrant who has the money should wait behind a legal resident who cannot pay? "
savenapa wrote on Aug 10, 2008 11:42 AM:
You show me an Illegal Alien that has the money to pay for the Queens services and I'll show you a flying pig. "
savenapa wrote on Aug 10, 2008 12:11 PM:
Considering that an illegal alien has commited a federal felony by working here without a valid visa, the money (assuming that there is an illegal that would pay since they love to cheat the system anyway) is dirty money that I would consider akin to drug trafficing currency. So yes, I do believe that law abiding citizens should ALWAYS come first.
The sad reality remains that many citizens are defactos that came to be by a set of Illegal parents. It took my mother 10 years to get here from Germany after the war. She did it legally and gained her citizenship. She spoke only English to me and taught me to respect this great nation. When I was a young fool and badmouthed the US she would clue me in on what it can be like outside of the protection of the United States.
The times when I have been blessed to know mexicans with a similar mindset I have always welcomed them as my brothers and sisters. "
Winewoman wrote on Aug 10, 2008 1:49 PM:
markmywords wrote on Aug 10, 2008 9:20 PM:
- Did you know that most of these people that you refer as “illegal” come to this county to work and to take jobs that others don’t want –like those that would poising you because of the pesticides inhale by being exposed to the crops
- Did you know that Clinic Ole’s patients are mostly White and on Medi-Cal?
- Did you know that immigrants in general have better health and better diets than most Americans. Thus, their need for healthcare services is minimal compared to those of other ethnicities.
- These immigrants don’t depend on their government back home, so they are not expecting anything here either.
- Did you know that undocumented workers don’t just show up at hospitals, that wouldn’t be a smart move for them since they don’t want to tell everybody they don’t have documents
-Remember that these undocumented workers one day will be documented -- just like your ancestors when they became part of the melting pot (unless they were here already and had their land stolen from them). As these people become documented, they will become civically engaged, and will vote once they become American citizens. Just like it has happened before with other ethnic groups. They will become mainstream Americans, their purchasing power will increase and their education levels will rise.
The Latino community will become a majority in the next 10-15 years, and whether you like it or not, the mere numbers will help allow them to secure political representation. The little brother will not longer be---you won't be able to bully him anymore- be nice to your little brother! "
footballman40 wrote on Aug 10, 2008 9:59 PM:
Show me concrete proof of Clinic Ole's attendance record before you throw out your conjecture on the matter.
And to What'sup: The Wellness center is doing just fine financially. Parking places are full throughout the day and remember, the Wellness Center is a lot more than just Synergy gym. There are many patients being cared for with the Women's health, The Rehab Dept. and Dr's offices also. The Outpatient surgery center on the other hand has much room to improve with many surgery rooms available throughout the day. "
savenapa wrote on Aug 10, 2008 10:10 PM:
Actually the "undocumented" (Illegal) workers do qualify under some types of aid. AND...the ones that dont qualify still manage because most "undoctumented" workers have stolen or fake identities.
This is the typical response to someone that believes the law should be upheld..."
"We will do what we want and break any law we want and because we are flooding in numbers and you better just shut up and take it or we will ...."
Please markmywords, why dont you tell us all more about what the Latino community will do to the United States. We are all listening . "
Winewoman wrote on Aug 10, 2008 10:13 PM:
1. Of course illegal immigrants don't qualify for government programs - that's why they use false social security numbers to get it. I've seen this myself.
2. I've heard this ridiculous argument before. Illegals take the jobs that "we" don't want, like those that spread poison? You're kidding. The money from these jobs is sent back to Mexico instead of being infused back into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services.
3. OK
4. Immigrants have better health than other ethnicities? Ok, I'm going to need to see some studies that support this. Oh yeah, according to you - 6. Illegals don't go to hospitals because they don't have paperwork. So it would be kinda hard to collect those statistics.
5. Immigrants don't depend on their government back home - Duh, because their money is going back home - they don't need the help.
6. Will these illegal immigrants one day be documented - really?
Oh, and I don't have to be nice to my little brother if I don't want to.
I disagree with your entire argument here - immigrate legally - that's how our ancestors did it. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:25 AM:
Take a look around. We are overcrowded, even without the influx of immigration.
The impact on our environment is unconscionable. The effect on our social fabric is something we have the power to control but choose not to. Can we save the world; The over producing and continuously permeating population flowing from a gradient of lower to higher level of resources? This is a point where I must ask, who's in charge?" It's certainly not "Queen of the Valley". "
Gimmeabreak wrote on Aug 11, 2008 2:33 AM:
I heard they did away with hospital security entirely and are telling the maintenance workers that they will handle the security from now on, as well as turning wrenches. Not an intelligent decision. How sad. "
biggrape wrote on Aug 11, 2008 5:56 AM:
Yes, Illegal immigrants to qualify for aid. If a Illegal becomes pregnant in the United States she will receive full aid, just like another should have.
In response to your rant, "immigrate legally - that's how our ancestors did it." How do you know they did in face immigrate legally? Last time I checked many old German and Russian Jews went through Argentina for example. Some of the new age immigrates enter US through Canada and or BC.
If it were not for the Mexican workers that enter Napa, who would it be there for the harvest? I have yet to see a "white man" out there picking grapes in the hot sun.
The people who really need to be responsible are the vineyard owners and or the service industry who hires illegals. "
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 11, 2008 6:10 AM:
Raven;
"and speaking of deserving of health care, do you mean an illegal immigrant who has the money should wait behind a legal resident who cannot pay? "
Yes, and they should be deported.
What part of BREAKING THE LAW by just being here illegally don't people understand? "
Speak the Truth wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:03 AM:
savenapa wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:57 AM:
My Parents came through Ellis Island along with the mulititudes. How do I know this? Because I still have their documentation!!!!
Furhermore- When I was a teenager I picked grapes and prunes out in the "hot" sun. I didnt melt, I got a work ethic and some spending money to supplement my paper route.
In my twenties I drove a harvester for mondavi vinyards. I was harvester operator, I had one "chute"man and a tractor operator dragging a gondola to catch the discharge. The three of us picked more grapes than a hundred illegals can pick with a vine knife. The "boutique" wine people claim that they must be handpicked. Hogwash! Automation works. It works for cotton and it works for grapes. And dont let any cotton-pickin individual tell you different.
If any of you think we need these workers to survive you are misinformed. I have 4 kids that would love to go make some money during harvest at this very moment. "
biggrape wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:58 AM:
What part of the Hippocratic Oath do you not understand? Physicians have to treat no matter what. "
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:01 PM:
Certainly treat them for life threatening illness. But if they cannot prove citizenship they only get stabilized and transported back to the country the are legal citizens of. If it's not life threatening no treatment.
If I'm considered a bigot. when I complain and do not like a certain group that is negativily affecting my way of life that I work hard and pay my taxes for. Then, I'm a bigot.
I ask you; Am I a bigot or am I a patriot Because I am trying and protect my way of life?
I'm against Mexicans, Russians, Australians, Taliban, or anyone else who comes here illegally and start to bring down the way of life our forfathers and myself as legal citizens worked hard for.
People use the label "bigot" and "racist" too freely these days to silence someone excersising their right to free speech. "
Rich wrote on Aug 11, 2008 1:30 PM:
napawarrior wrote on Aug 11, 2008 3:22 PM:
READ THE ARTICLE...it is not illegals drowning our hospital! The article covers the changes in the health care system/industry and the reimbursement of the government and of private insurance...
The management at the Queen did not heed the warning of industry articles, studies, and alerts! Now good people are gone...
Get back on topic or don't even bother to write! "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 11, 2008 4:02 PM:
Here's what we MUST do to correct this problem, and I know some of you might not like it:
1. Employers who hire illegals should be subjected to a HIGH fine. Someone in Napa County should be hired solely to inspect construction sites, vineyards etc., places that typically use illegals. A forewarning, there will be a great amount of political money and clout used to fight this.
2. Landlords should be responsible for making certain that illegals are not using their rentals for housing. Homeowners who rent their rooms and landlords who rent to illegals should face a fine if they cannot control this type of illegal activity that goes on in their rental units. They profit from it and then turn a blind eye. They need to take responsibility. I've personally witnessed people who cannot speak a word of English purchase homes and fill every square foot of available living space with illegals. They then hire them out. The only way to stop it is to fine them for housing illegals.
Take away shelter and employment, problem solved; for the Queen too. "
savenapa wrote on Aug 11, 2008 5:34 PM:
You've got my vote and many others that I personally know. Emergency Rooms that are closing all over the country are siting non-paying illegals as the common facotr. Poor management or not, this is one element that cannot be denied.
We all need to be diligent and keep I.C.E. programed into speed dial.
Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):
A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
assists an illegal alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or
encourages that illegal alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or
knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
Napa Warrior I dont know what you are thinking but we are on topic. ( Not that we need your permission to discuss a local issue affecting our healthcare) Illegal Aliens play a HUGE role in the healthcare crisis. The article points to this (albeit indirectly) "
napawarrior wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:00 PM:
savenapa...this article does not indirectly put the cause of Queen problems on illegal aliens...it puts it on payor reimbursement. That includes Medi-Cal, Medicare, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, etc. Not every problem indirectly relates to illegal aliens. "
amcanresident wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:50 PM:
cathyodom wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:58 AM:
savenapa wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:14 AM:
NapaWarrior:
The article sites low reimbursement rates. I can read. It also points to "sharp increases in charity care and bad debt"
What pray tell to you think that is??? We as a community have experienced other sharp increases as well. How many bank owned homes are sitting around because of liar loans? Go search the demographic that defaulted in Napa. It is not pretzel logic to understand what is happening here.
The article does not state that poor management was a factor. Yet you draw that conclusion. It may be so, I do not know and I happen to work at the Queen. Thankfully my job remains intact. I am worried for the future like all of the rest of us. "
savenapa wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:55 PM:
I suppose that is merely poor management and oversite that could have easily been avoided...I doubt it.
I wish the Queen could just "see the writing on the wall" and up and move their facilities to an area with a lesser concentration of Illegals as a management contingency. What do you management bashers expect that they do with low reimbursement rates? Give low quality care?
At least SOMETHING is coming in from people with ppo coverage. What ROI is there for charity care and bad debt. It'll tell you what return their is...more people standing in line to "get theirs"
Or...mabey we should blame it all on medical..or medicaid..lets blame it all on someone or something that makes for a P.C. scapegoat. Just don't ever actually say what we all know. "
jellybean wrote on Aug 12, 2008 5:07 PM:
An incredible NURSE who is a friend of mine was part of this lay-off at QVH, it's ALL due to illegal immigration. Wake up! "
biggrape wrote on Aug 12, 2008 6:43 PM:
1. Hospital Management at The Queen is by far top notch.
2. The Physicians I know are also top tier as far as education, residency and specialization and ability to care for patients of all walks of life.
3. The Nurses are also top tier.
4. The Queen is a Catholic hospital and will and keep this tradition.
On every business card from The Queen it reads:
"To Extend the healing ministry of Jesus in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange by continually improving the health and quality of life pf people in the communities we serve."
These are only facts, not answers. If I had answers to these questions or problems I would run for President... better then the other two lame ducks.
We cannot turn our backs to people. If you like it or not, they are people. Some with kids, wife's, husbands, fathers, grandfather, grandmothers, etc.
The bigger the city the bigger the problem. Napa is not alone. Big or small city, the problem is growing. It is also a problem for physicians who have to take time to translate.
Thanks to the government MD's cannot translate to the family, there needs to be an "expert." This expert costs MD's money and time, which is passed on to the English speaking population who is here legally . "
savenapa wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:30 PM:
Thank you for your candor. It is refreshing to hear from someone in this community that regards honesty as a virtue. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:14 PM:
5150 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:57 AM:
biggrape wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:06 AM:
The Queen is a regional heart center, which could and would save your life vs. being transferred to San Francisco.
Maybe the managers of the vineyards are mismanaged and need to pay healthcare for their workers, and or make then legal. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:32 PM:
There is nothing present in the Oath which prevents a medical institution from "verbalizing" the problems they face if they continue providing services for free. Yes, the medical institution must prioritize the well being of patients but should it be done at the expense of the well being of the medical facility? It's not against the Oath to "talk about the problem". If medical facilities don't speak up about the problem, nothing will get done.
to 5150, are you suggesting that we prioritize the care of illegal immigrants over those who are legal and pay? If my family member is in a vehicular accident, There's comfort knowing that the Queen is a state of the art facility which can make the difference between life or death. So do you think we should downgrade services for one sector in order to upgrade them for another? That's the direction we are heading.
Every employer who hires immigrants should guarantee they are covered by health insurance or face a fine. Any employer who hires illegals should pay a hefty fine. We must fight for this. Everyone complains but no one takes action. It would help greatly if medical facilities began leading the way. If they start, we will follow. "
naparn wrote on Aug 13, 2008 8:31 PM:
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 13, 2008 8:41 PM:
Have you seen the registers article entitled "White americans no longer a majority by 2042" ?
How many of those "new citizens" do you think were born here (automatic citizenship) to illegal parents?
We can embrace a multicultural society.
But, are you willing to embrace the bad habits and cultural views these people bring with them?
Ours is one of the very few countries that sexual harrassment is against the law.
DUI is far less of an offense in other countries.
Domestic violence is ignored and still considered a "Family problem" in other countries.
When these people come here they bring their traditions and values with them.
Be ready for higher taxes to support more law enforcement, more family support services and other burdens put on our now crumbling economy.
And to stay on track with this article:
Who do you think pays for all those illegal people and their "legal by birth" children when they get free medical treatment at the Queen?
We do, by taxes that go to the programs set up for our needy LEGAL CITIZENS such as medicare. "
5150 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:10 PM:
Raven wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:57 AM:
you know cellsite, every thing you mention sounds lot like the 'faults' attributed to many ethnic groups when they emigrated to the US, but lets be sure exactly which group you are talking about....the Irish perhaps....so tell us.which group has all these faults? "
omg-ur-too much wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:24 AM:
savenapa wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:08 AM:
You mean stop saying the truth? The truth hurts but it is the most compassionate way any problem can be dealt with for ALL who are concerned.
Get over it??? Hope things get better??? How can things get better when the very things that are destroying healthcare and exacerbating the crisis are simply ignored? Oh yes… lets all just form a prayer circle and hope that the problem by sheer mystical marvel simply goes away. Folks, I think we have now solved the health care crisis! Thank you omgyourtoomuch for the great wisdom you have graced us all with. "
omg-ur-too much wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:37 PM:
savenapa wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:55 PM:
winemd wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:23 PM:
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 15, 2008 6:31 AM:
It doesn't take a "Rocket Scientist" or a bunch of statistics to know the largest illegal immigrant group in Napa and California are Mexicans. I have some Mexican friends and they came to this country legally. They are embarressed by these Mexican illegals and even they can see this has become an "epidemic".
True, No one person or group is solely to blame. But, there are larger groups such as illegals that share the blame and we can do something about to stop. We have to start somewhere.
We have enough of a problem taking care of our own legal citizens. Why should we care for and support someone who doesn't even have the respect for this country to come here legally? All the millions of dollars spent caring for and providing services such as medical help to the illegals can be spent on our own citizens and ease the problem of affordable health care. "
naparn wrote on Aug 15, 2008 8:21 AM:
rn4life wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:16 PM:
biggrape wrote on Aug 15, 2008 6:57 PM:
The issue has nothing to do with the MD's. All non surgical could leave and only see patients in their office with no problem. Of course you have to admit, but for basic needs you (MD) do not have to be in the hospital setting 9-5. "
BIGDADDY#2 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:48 AM:
cellsitegod wrote on Aug 18, 2008 5:21 AM:
Two, How do you know a white person wouldn't do the job?
I have a white friend that does exactly that at QVH.
Maybe the hospital had a minority quota to fill.
A minority of which white people will be in the future.
According to the census bureau, Raven. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:16 PM:
biggrape wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:33 AM:
Side note: anyone hear who got fired at the Queen? "