Wednesday, March 02, 2005

U.S. Sugar Going After Hospital

Clewiston, FL. (Feb. 28, 2005) -- U.S. Sugar Corporation today filed
a public records lawsuit to obtain information regarding Hendry Regional
Medical Center and Physical Therapy Dynamics, Inc.
"It is unfortunate that this action was necessary. I had hoped that we
would be able to get beyond the lawyers and the stonewalling on
providing critical information on the operations of the hospital and sit
down and work together to ensure the future of our local hospital," said
Robert Coker, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs. "But for some
reason, the hospital is reluctant to disclose important information on
their operations."


According to Coker, the public hospital has repeatedly refused to make
available information that, by law, is supposed to be made available to
the public. Numerous requests for information, including information
related to physical therapy services, have been stonewalled by the
hospital.

"This information is essential to making good decisions regarding the
future administration and operation of our local hospital," Coker said.
"If everything is in good order, we see no reason why the hospital
should not comply with the law and make these public records public."


Over the last several months, a blue-ribbon panel of local business
leaders has been analyzing the operations of the hospital after its
precarious financial standing was brought to light with a 25% raise in
ad valorem taxes in order to fund the increasing deficits of the
community hospital.


In addition to the sharp increase in local property taxes, the hospital
used the proceeds from the sale of the Eckerd/CVS property that was to
be put in a special building fund for a new, modern community hospital
to fund the increasing deficits.

"This situation raises serious questions about the future of the
hospital and of quality healthcare in our community," Coker said. "If
we want to enjoy the benefits of having a community hospital in
Clewiston in the future, the citizens of Clewiston better get involved
now."
U.S. Sugar Corp. is one of the largest landowners in Hendry county and also
has county tax exemptions on part of its manufacturing operations in
Clewiston.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:49 AM

    Robert Coker left this community a LONG time ago... first in spirit , and then in body. He does not care what happens to our beloved hospital as he has moved "on up " to Palm Beach County. He should remember when one of his children was delivered at the Clewiston hospital in an emergency situation, when he was a resident here. Coker's heart is NOT in this city or county anymore, he needs to keep his nose out of the business. There must be someone at US Sugar who really cares about this community because they reside heree!!!!

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  2. Anonymous8:27 AM

    I think that the Hospital if it has nothing to hide should let the records be looked at. There has to be something to it that this hospital never does do very well regarding financial means. It is also amazing to me that the doctors who come here leave very abruptly. Why should we attack Mr. Coker. He may be trying to look after our welfare and help our hospital be a better place so that we can treat patients in the right way, especially so that funds are not short in providing care for patients.

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