Hospitals are facing cuts in reimbursements from MaineCare and from the federal government’s “sequestration” cuts, as well as increases in expenses for free care, for those who cannot afford to pay for care.
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Ellen W. Todd
Sanford New Writer
SANFORD — In a little more than three months, Goodall Hospital in Sanford and Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford will officially merge, becoming Southern Maine Health Care.
Despite occasional rumors to the contrary, Sanford will still have a hospital and an emergency department. In fact, aside from the change of name — and consequently new signs — most Goodall patients will notice few changes, except perhaps better access to specialty services, such as cardiology and mental health services.
Goodall Hospital and Southern Maine Medical Center have been working together under one parent company — Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) — for more than a year. The SMHC governing board is made up of 20 voting members — 10 chosen by Goodall Hospital and 10 chosen by SMMC, so that both hospitals are represented equally, despite the difference in size between the two hospitals. In addition, four of the 10 trustees from each hospital are physicians.
In a meeting with the Sanford News on Monday, Sept. 16), Patsy Aprile, the president and CEO of Goodall Hospital, and Ed McGeachey, the president and CEO of Southern Maine Medical Center, talked about the upcoming merger on Jan. 1, 2014, and what it will mean for the communities that the two hospitals serve.
Aprile said SMHC’s mission is “to improve the health and health care of the communities we serve,” despite the financial pressures of providing health care services today, especially for small community hospitals.
“It’s no secret that we’re facing huge financial challenges,” Aprile said of Goodall Hospital, which has struggled financially for years, to the point where the future of local health care services was in jeopardy. The situation has left Goodall unable to invest in the infrastructure of its hospital, eldercare facilities and technology.
“The hospital main building is 85 years old, and so is its roof, boilers and other infrastructure that costs millions of dollars to replace,” Aprile said.
In addition, hospitals are facing cuts in reimbursements from MaineCare and from the federal government’s “sequestration” cuts, as well as increases in expenses for free care, for those who cannot afford to pay for care.
SMHC has made the commitment to continue to offer medical and surgical care in Sanford and Biddeford, to have full service emergency departments in both Sanford and Biddeford, to expand access to primary care physicians as needed, to invest in updating facilities, technology and equipment, to update eldercare facilities in Sanford and to expand access to mental health services for Sanford patients.
Goodall Hospital will become Southern Maine Health Care, Sanford Campus. But in acknowledgment of the hospital’s history and heritage, the Goodall Medical Office Building will keep its name and get a new sign on the entrance side of the building.
While the merger doesn’t mean the hospitals will have more money to spend, it will allow the two hospitals to combine their resources. For example, their sleep disorder services have been consolidated in a single facility in Kennebunk.
One group of patients who will see a change is expectant mothers.
The Center for Women’s Health on June Street will remain open and continue to provide services, including prenatal office visits and follow-up visits after the baby’s birth. However, beginning in early January, labor and delivery for patients of both hospitals will be consolidated at the Biddeford campus, in the Birthing Suite.
“All that will change is the actual birth experience,” said Aprile.
SMMC completed renovated its Birthing Suite a few years ago and the bright rooms feature colorful, cottage-style furniture and space for families to visit. Goodall’s Women’s and Birthing Center needs renovations and equipment upgrades that could cost up to $3 million.
There are fewer than 200 babies a year born at Goodall Hospital, and 56 percent of expectant mothers are already going to other area hospitals.
The consolidation will save SMHC $2.1 million in operational costs.
In the next weeks, Aprile and McGeachey will host four public forums to discuss the merger with the public and answer questions. The forums will be held on:
Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at Goodall Library, Sanford;
Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. at Nasson Little Theatre, Springvale;
Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at MacArthur Library, Biddeford;
Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Brick Store Museum Program Center, Kennebunk.