Bingo!

Editorial: The HCA Vote

http://www.leesburg2day.com/current.cfm?catid=9&newsid=10968

Aug 05, 2005 -- There were few surprises to be found in Monday’s 6-3 Board of Supervisors’ vote to deny a special exception needed by Hospital Corporation of America in order to build a new hospital at Broadlands.

The entire HCA process has become so rancid with inside politics and self-serving manipulations that the board room was a kaleidoscope of myopian interests swamping discussion about the greater community good represented by diversified medical care options for citizens.

One almost hopes HCA will file suit against the county just so the evidentiary process will shed light some of the back room stuff that accompanied the entire process There is sheer gall in alleging that a hospital represents a community danger while a bar serving alcohol to drivers is not.

But the whole process revolved around sheer gall, from Loudoun Hospital Center pleading like a street urchin even while cutting a deal to sell itself with a package that protected the people who were negotiating the acquisition, but protected nobody else. Given the deals that were already in, Monday’s vote could have just as easily been taken back on Groundhog Day. Come to think of it, that might have been altogether appropriate.

 

AFGM, didn't you read this back when that issue of the paper was published?

Well, court could surely produce a lot of interesting things, like the county healthcare group with the BOS chairman's campaign manager that presented the report misquoting the state health agency and implying their participation and support, which they took the trouble (the state agency) to publicly disavow for the record, and the fact that about that same time the former campaign manager took a position with HCA.

Then there's the whole inside Democrat interevention in Richmond that turned up inadvertently in an obituary.

Now of course we have the ad attempting to influence the 2007 election, which tells me HCA-BRMC has really filed as a PAC, right? On that one, does their congratulation of Mr. Burton's intellectual honesty mean they in fact agree with his statements of record that they are a shady company of questionable practices that he wishes wouldn't operate in his county?

Give it up.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

I keep reading that a hospital should be built in/near SR. If HCA bulit in/near SR al would be good in the world. Would SR residenst buy the land for the hospital? Or maybe they can trade/swap their "community center" build with Broadlands, since we lost the YMCA.

 

It was asked previously, that all the hospital related posts please be kept in one location so we don't get thread upon thread being started. Can we please abide by that ??



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Did anyone see the Washington Post this weekend. Seems BRMC is still active, and posturing for their next move. Round 3 is going to be interesting.

 

Oh good grief ...

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

There was the ad, and two LHI/INOVA posted editorials. The editorials were pro LHI and negative BRMC. Made me think even LHI is getting ready for round 3.

 

Big difference between two voluntary opinion pieces by private individuals, and a paid (many times over, because it had a whole page in the Connection yesterday too) PAC-piece by a corporation.

Seriously, I'm amazed that the ad would be structured the way it is if the company is not buying it through its PAC, and crediting it to the PAC. Seems there's potential legal action right there. Or a flat out carelessly stupid angry mistake.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

You really think they were voluntary? Please...there is mud slinging on both sides of the fence. I'm sure they were prompted by someone.

 

There certainly is a chance the editorials were "sponsored". The SOP for Loudoun Hospital has been to pay for support and hide it as local volunteer support.

However, I certainly see the chance, and frankly the likelihood, the editorials were voluntary.

Bottom line here, is this thing is going to be adjudicated and both sides know it. At the least the individuals voicing their opinion are "hearing" the law suit is coming, and this fear promoted their submittal.

Earlier on several of us called this a marathon. The past vote was nothing more than a water stop on a long road to justice.

 

You are very correct on the water stop!!! I for one am cheering BRMC on!

 

Voluntary in that they were sent in by private citizens, whatever their motivations, and the paper had the choice to print them or not.

The ad is another story, in that it attempts to influence an election but does not credit itself to a PAC (and there have been lawsuits and special prosecutors on that issue in this county before), and it was purchased space.

Big difference.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

First, all I see on here is a bunch of mud-slinging from both sides going nowhere.

Second, didn't anyone see Neil Z's post asking people to discuss this on the original thread rather than starting yet another one? Does no one pay attention?

Sheesh!

 

Well... as a new "poster", I'd say you have a very low tolerance for mud.

 

Your PAC theory is a two way street. I don't see it going anywhere. If a PAC is seen as something BRMC should have, LHI certainly is in the same boat.

Frankly, I am surprised BRMC has held it's tongue as long as they did, related to the political shinanigans that live in this county.

 

AFGM, are you forgetting VSS' accusation in 2002 that CPR was a PAC, and the special prosecutor that dragged on into nearly the 03 voting season before (being replaced and) declaring that they were NOT a PAC? That case hinged on whether the group was trying to influence the outcome of an election. Since the CPR advertisements made no mention of any upcoming election, nor did they advise people on how to vote, it could not be proven that they were a PAC (and therefore subject to laws that would disclose their membership lists, contributors, etc).

It isn't a PAC "theory"--the current ad makes direct reference to the next magisterial district election, and tells people how to vote in it. Is BRMC/HCA a PAC, or a healthcare corporation? IOW, there may be some violations in running that ad as a healthcare corp, and that opens up a fun can of worms for any citizen who asks that THAT be investigated.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

I haven't forgotten; still think both sides can be accused of this claim.

It wouldn't surprise me if some naninod hypocrite asked for an investigation.

To me, neither side has done anything egregious enough to warrant anytime spent on a PAC theory.

 

Actually the "mud" I was referring to is all over these forums.

And again, why can't people stick to one thread?

http://hoa.broadlands.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2271

 

Good question, why don't you start a new thread on thread protocol?