Burning Medical Waste Here in Broadlands!

This is in response to comments by some on the forum. The pro-hospital crowd has said that there will not be a medical waste incinerator at the proposed hospital in the Broadlands. This is, at best, mis-leading and, at worst, UNTRUE!

VACLIFF said that HCA did not "mention" that it had plans to burn medical waste at the hospital, but what he failed to say is that HCA does not even have to disclose its plans. Under EPA guidelines, hospitals do not have to notify their neighbors about medical waste burning activities.

So, I encourage anyone who cares about their health and the health of their kids to go READ UP ON THE FACTS. For some resources, see below:

http://www.seattlepress.com/article-453.html

http://www.nhlink.net/enviro/scp/medical.html

http://www.essentialaction.org/waste/kit/english/medwaste.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/medical/

http://www.monitor.net/rachel/r82.html

http://www.ewg.org/pub/home/hcwc/hcwh.html

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/129/hmiwi/rihmiwi.html

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

Killer Bee-
HCA has stated, unequivicably, that there will not be any incinerator in this facility. Medical waste will be removed from the site, not incinerated. It was never mentioned in any of their applications because there is no plans to include one. They have made this statement publicly. I also do not believe that their other hospitals in Virginia use incinerators. I'll try and find out.
I don't know if your statement that they can install an incinerator without EPA approval is accurate. I will try and find out if they would need state, federal, or county approval to install one.
I agree with you that an incinerator should not be allowed at this facility.

 

A follow-up on the burning medical waste issue:
New environmental guidelines passed in 1998 that greatly reduced the acceptable level of emissions has made most medical waste incinerators obsolete. The cost to make the changes to existing ones is prohibitive.
HCA has no plans to include on at the BRMC. In fact, of the 12 hospital/medical facilities they own in Virginia, NONE operate incinerators.
The only one I'm aware of is owned by Loudoun Hospital Center at their Cornwall facility, and I don't believe they've operated it since the guideline change.
Sometimes the federal government and EPA get things right!
Cliff

 

Thanks for the update. My concern is that you seem to trust HCA blindly. I do not. You are really on the fact that HCA did not "mention" that it had plans to burn medical waste at the hospital. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that HCA does NOT even have to disclose its plans. Under EPA guidelines, hospitals do not have to notify their neighbors about medical waste burning activities. Sometimes the feds get things wrong, and I know HCA is slimy enough to take advantage of such a big loophole.


killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

kb: I think that we should just be happy that VaCliff has now unequivicably promised to all of us here in the Broadlands that there will be NO medical waste in our yards, air, community, etc. Also, he has said before that there will be no danger from crazy patients.

I don't personally see how he could unequivicably trust a company with a history like HCA has, but he does and seems fine makes promises to us on their behalf. That's good enough for me.

 

Stephanie-
Where have I "unequivacably promised" anything? Unlike you, I did some work and research and posted my findings. Regarding the medical waste issue I got my info from killer bee's web link postings, contacting HCA, contacting LHC, and calling several HCA hospitals for independent confirmation that no incinerators exist.

Do I like and tend to trust HCA? Yes, I do. I have had wonderful experiences with HCA hospitals in two states. Do I care about our community? Yes, I do. I've lived in Broadlands for 6 1/2 years and have been on the HOA Board for 4 years. I'm comfortable in saying I have been more active in working for this community than anyone else here. I have listened to all the fears and concerns about the hospital. The research I have done contradicts these fears. Give me a call sometime, and I'd be happy to share my information and the sources of that information with you.

 

Oh, brother! Stephanie, now you can see first hand how VACLIFF treats anyone who does not like his HCA buddies.

VACLIFF, look at your statement in quote above. Re-read it. How can you say that? You have posted several times on this forum asking for facts, but what FACTS do you have that the majority of the people that you represent support the hospital and that you are doing us all a favor by helping out the HCA money-mongers?

I think that your self delusion is just a bunch of lies, but I'll promise to keep quiet if you show all us the facts! Have you conducted an un-biased survey? Have you talked to everyone in the Broadlands? Have you taken HCA bribes and kickbacks (oops, that one slipped out--I've been thinking that for a while)? Until you can prove how great you are, maybe you could stop making self-aggrandizing statements that are not based in reality, much less fact.

Also, from what I can tell of the postings on this site, I think that DONNA has done more for the peace and sanctity of our community than you have done in a day.

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

This is just the kind of personal mud-slinging that has discouraged me from becoming more involved in the hospital debate that I already am on here. But as long as I am writing, some thoughts...

I honestly believe that most Broadlands residents would either like the hospital or don't care either way. When it's a life-or-death situation, 5 minutes can be the difference that ensures survival, and I want my chances improved with a second hospital for eastern Loudoun County. I have also lived near hospitals in other suburban areas, benefited from their proximity and services, and see the anti-HCA group here as engaged in pure and simple NIMBY-ism based on hyperbolic rhetoric and unfounded fears.

Having said all of this, I don't have any desire to go out and conduct a door-to-door poll or other survey to support my beliefs, because I'd only be attacked for my methods or the polling questions. I give Cliff a lot of credit for putting up with the **** his HOA Board position entails.

I'll also say this ... Cliff must be doing something right because he was overwhelmingly reelected to the HOA Board at last May's open HOA meeting, in spite of others' campaigns that were based solely on their opposition to the hospital. So to many people, the hospital is apparently either a non-issue or there are other concerns that are simply more important.

 

VaCliff: You did state just above that there will be no medical waste disposal at the proposed site. Are you trying to deny that? I have learned one thing in my short time visiting these forums, and that is that the pro-hospital crowd (led by you) is very, very mean. As soon as someone expresses an opinion, you have something negative to say. That is just the quality that I admire in someone who is supposed to represent our interests--not!

And, JTARNOW, you sound awfully scared about what the results of a decent, non-biased survey would be!

 

Cliff, as one of the first 100 families in the Broadlands, I commend and appreciate your efforts in making this a better and MORE INFORMED community. I have been a lurker to this forum for a while now and it has provided plenty of entertainment, especially those posts by Killer Bee. I often sit back and have several drinks while reading her posts. I sure will be glad when the ABC store opens to continually replenish my stock! As far as the hospital is concerned I am more for than against it being in our immediate neighborhood. As a father of a 5 month old, I will gladly take a hospital as close as possible for any emergencies. And since Killer Bee says there will be no traffic lights in the next millenium, I can get him there that much quicker. Keep up the good work and thank you for your support to this community.

 

I can say the same thing for everyone on here against the hospital... have any of you conducted a truly NON-BIASED survey?

I just don't want the headache of being personally attacked by those who don't know me ... thus I'm not going to engage such a survey on my own.

 

Stephanie, with all due respect, how can you call the pro-hospital group "mean"? The anti-hospital group has been relentless on attacking Cliff's credibility, when in fact he is the only person on this forum who posts anything resemebling facts. On this page alone, Cliff has been called delusional and a liar. I have yet to see Cliff attacking others in that manner.

 

Stephanie, I was raised to treat ladies with respect. It is a shame to see that others here do not. It is just typical of the pro-HCA crowd: They are helping to destroy our community by bringing in a blatently unethical, felonious, and self-acknowledged thieving corporation like HCA, and they get very upset when someone even tries to ask a question!

You seem to have ticked off VACLIFF and his HCA cronies. That is what you get for voicing an opinion.

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

If respect is defined as "agreeing with everything someone says", then I agree that there is a major lack of respect in this thread. However, in a civil environment, which is what we have here, you can respect someone without agreeing with their point of view. That is what makes a democracy thrive.

 

A civil environment? Oh brother! Thanks to the pro-fraud HCA crowd, we have not had a civil environment since some sane folks started questioning the need for HCA's ho$pital in the first place. Also, anyone who has disagreed with VACLIFF has been labeled as "ignorant." Just re-read his insensitive postings! I do not see how that makes this place civil. Do you?

Wick, I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the pro-fraud crowd will only be happy when everyone in the Broadlands acts like good little Stepford men/women and goes along with this redundant, duplicative, and duplicitous hospital! The Lord gave me a mind to think for myself, not to be spoon-feed tripe!

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

Everyone please remember before this goes any farther, personal attacks are not allowed on this forum in any way, shape or form. Please be kind.

John

---------------
Got Broadband?

 

This topic is moot anyway. The hospital is never gonna be built. Richmond does not want it and in fact, Richmond will not even approve any more beds in the existing hospital. I'd save all this drama for later, IF it ever gets close to being built.

 

Homer, I agree with you. HCA may not take "no" for an answer, but that is exactly what they have been told for now. Whether or not some people choose to see reality is their own problem, I guess. For what it is worth, I don't plan on wasting any more time trying to make sense of the insensitive comments of the pro-hospital group.

 

Killer... just a thought, but do you work at LHC?

I am certainly NO ONES' crony and I am only slightly more for the hospital than against. But reading your posts makes me wonder about YOUR ethics. You are vehemently attacking HCA, most posts are not substantiated with any proof positive material. Even the initial post starting this thread is "sensationalism". Also, I am not a lawyer but I do believe some of your posts can be construed as slander.

But please keep them coming, albeit somewhat tamer. It is nice to see people expressing their opinions.

An all, please remember, that the issue is about the hospital, not each other.

 

Killer_Bee-
Yes, I reread my post and stand by what I wrote. You and Stepanie can continue your baseless, factless attacks on me. I have offered to discuss with anyone the information I have. Not surprisingly, no one wants to take me up on it.

My conclusions for support are based on comments, letters. emails, and conversations that myself and the other HOA Board members have received on this issue. I'm sorry if the result isn't what you would like, but it's the FACT. Some supporters have requested to remain anonymous because of the nastiness they have seen from those that oppose the hospital.

Folks like you don't want facts, you just want to post sensationalizing, false, factless comments. I will say it again THERE WILL BE NO MEDICAL WASTE INCINERATOR ON THIS SITE BASED ON ALL AND ANY INFORMATION THAT ANYONE CAN GATHER.
I made one comment about one of your posts using the word "ignorant", which was inappropriate and I apologized.
You accepted the apology, then bring it up again. I guess I was right the first time.