'Buy Muhlenberg' has 2-page ad in Courier

Today's Courier features a double full-page spread bought by the 'Buy Muhlenberg' campaign, outlining the issues around Solaris' proposed closure and the support of Plainfield and nine surrounding communities.

You'll have to run out and buy a copy. Do it now, while there are still some left.

For more on the 'Buy Muhlenberg' campaign, see here.

Letter: On Muhlenberg info, consider source

In a letter in today's Courier, Dottie Gutenkauf lays into the question of who to believe about what is going on as Solaris prepares to shut down Muhlenberg.

Read more here: "On Muhlenberg information, consider the source".

Editorial: Corzine not fighting for hospitals

Today's Courier editorializes that Muhlenberg "is a microcosm for hospital concerns statewide" and that Gov. Corzine's team is not fighting FOR hospitals. Couldn't agree more.

Read the editorial here: "Corzine camp not fighting for hospitals".

Letter: Muhlenberg board has community at heart

The president of Muhlenberg's Board of Trustees, Ron West (who has been attacked by Assemblyman Jerry Green over Solaris' planned closure) writes a long letter in the Courier today.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg directors have community interests at heart"

Muhlenberg: Closing's impact on Central Jersey

The Courier finally got the COMPLETE front page story on the Drew Piscatelli proposal up later in the day.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg: Piscatelli's 'medical mall' proposal"

And they got the accompanying story on the impact of a Muhlenberg closure on other area hospital up.

See more on the impact here: "Muhlenberg closing will be felt all over Central Jersey"

Solaris answers questions on Muhlenberg

Solaris gets two bites at the apple today -- with a 2-page ad spread (which also appeared earlier this week), as well as a 'Q&A' piece.

Read the Q&A piece here: "Solaris answers questions about Muhlenberg".

Muhlenberg: Piscatelli's 'medical mall' proposal

Today's Courier has a front-page story on developer Drew Piscatelli's proposed 'medical mall'.

The middle section of the story -- 'The Plan' -- is missing from the online version, as is the companion piece on the impact a closure would have on Central Jersey. (Dan will transcribe these and post completed items to Plainfield Today later.)

Read more here: "Developer unveils medical-mall concept to keep Plainfield's Muhlenberg open".

This may be the final story by reporter Clem Fiorentino, who has covered the proposed Muhlenberg closure intensively over the past couple months, as he is one of the employees who will be leaving as a result of Gannett's buyout offer to senior employees earlier this month.

Hospital aid? Fuggedaboutit

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon takes a look at the state's proposed cut of $143 million in aid to hospitals in the upcoming budget year, as reported in today's Courier and Ledger.

Muhlenberg doesn't even rate a mention.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg not even mentioned in hospital aid cuts".

Letter: Latinos still to be heard from

Letter-writer Early Canady laments the lack of Hispanic support for Muhlenberg, as he sees it, in today's Courier.

Read more here: "Latino voice in Muhlenberg situation still to be heard".

Editorial: Give more time to save Muhlenberg

Today's Courier editorializes that more time is needed to save Muhlenberg, and that the state should KEEP THE FACILITY OPEN for an extended period for investors to put their purchase plans together.

Read more here: "Give public more time to save Muhlenberg".

Piscatelli unveils Muhlenberg plan at Green's event

Drew Piscatelli's presentation on a future Muhlenberg reincarnation, made at Assemblyman Jerry Green's meeting last evening is reported on page one of today's Courier.

Read more here: "Developer unveils plans to save Muhlenberg".

Green presents developer's plan for Muhlenberg tonight

The Ledger plays catch-up today with a story on Assemblyman Green's presentation this evening on plans by developer Drew Piscatelli to operate Muhlenberg as a 'doctors' mall' while maintaining an 'acute-care facility'. The story also goes over Olive Lynch's plans, which differ from Green's.

Read more here: "Plainfield hospital would stay acute care site".

Meanwhile, yesterday's Courier story (see HERE) has drawn some interesting comments, including from Plainfield blogger 'olddoc' (Note: the comment from 'theneedler' is not from me -- Dan Damon).

Some questions on Jerry's new Muhlenberg proposal

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon takes a closeup look at Jerry Green's surprise proposal for a developer to take over Muhlenberg, and lays out some questions that attendees might want to ask at Wednesday evening's dog-and-pony show.

Read more here: "Saving Muhlenberg or Saving Jerry?"

Olive Lynch: Saving Muhlenberg can be done

Olive Lynch, of the 'Buy Muhlenberg' campaign has a long letter in today's Courier going over the ground in the search for a solution to the proposed closure of the hospital.

Read more here: "Saving Muhlenberg is goal that can be achieved".

Solaris employee harassment: Contact numbers

The following email from Olive Lynch contain TWO phone numbers for Solaris/Muhlenberg employees who feel they are being harassed.

Here is the complete email --

Hi everyone.

Since Muhlenberg employees are being harassed, told not to "talk" or be terminated .... I have two numbers for them to call.

First, anyone with information can call Kevin Noland, the investigator from the attorney general. His contact information:

Kevin Noland, Investigator
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Protection
Phone (973) 424-8107
Fax (973) 648-3139

Also, I have an attorney friend who specializes in representing employees in these types of cases. Given people's freedom of speech is being compromised due to Solaris' threats. If employees are fearful of talking, we can urge them to speak with her to be comfortable of their rights.

Catherine DeAppolonio
190 North Ave. E
Cranford, NJ 07016
908-272-9700

I've copied both Kevin and Catherine on this email.

Olive

'De facto closing' protested in letter to Corzine

A Muhlenberg employee and supporter of 'Save Muhlenberg' forwarded the following letter.

It speaks to the 'de facto' closing of Muhlenberg by Solaris that is reportedly going on, and was faxed to the Governor's office at the end of last week.

To: Governor Jon Corzine
CC: Commissioner of Heath and Senior Services

Fax Number 609-292-3454

Subject: De facto closing of Muhlenberg Hospital

Solaris Health Systems continue to close the Hospital one unit at a time. They are showing an utter disregard for the process and the law. Word on the Street is that they plan to shut down the Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center by June 15, 2008 even if Solaris has not received a CN for that shutdown. The Health Commissioner appears powerless or lacks the political will to take the necessary actions to prevent the de facto shutdown of this facility that services up to 16 towns and cities in the Plainfield Area.

It is the Governments duty to protect the health and welfare of the communities that Muhlenberg services. The hospital should not be closed until the Commissioner of Health has conducted a needs/impact assessment and a close review of the Solaris books. In a recent New Jersey Supreme Court Case (Virtua), it was held that a proper community /impact assessment must be part of the record in a CN proceeding to shut down an urban hospital that serves a high proportion of charity and other government funded patients. The losses that Solaris is claiming for 2007 & 2008 are difficult to understand when you compare it with the information reflected on the Forms 990 Tax Exempt Returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service for the periods ending 2002 through 2006. The average loss during that period of time was (2.6) million as compare to the claimed 18 million dollar loss in the calendar year ended 2007. As of the year ended December 31, 2006, the Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center had net assets of 22.6 million dollars and the Community property Group had net assets of 82 million dollars. This would indicate that both hospitals were liquid at that point in time. What transpired to produce these large losses? An independent CPA Firm should be appointed to evaluate this matter before a decision is reached on a Certificate of Need.

In order to uphold the integrity of the process, the Health Commissioner needs to act quickly and seek injunctive relief in court requiring Muhlenberg to remain open as a fully operational acute care facility until such time as the Commissioner has reached a final decision on the merits of the CN. Furthermore, the Corzine Administration has found additional revenue to support its property tax rebate program. Maybe, some additional funding can be used to keep vital hospitals like Muhlenberg open. It has been perceived by many that the Corzine Administration is only closing hospital that services a large number of charity care patients and the poor. As a registered democrat for forty years, I feel this perception needs to be changed. Let’s start with Muhlenberg and pull all parties together that need to make things happen so that an excellent rated institution remains open.

I have also been told that the cardiac care unit was reopened on 5/14 -- though Solaris denies it was ever closed.

-- Dan Damon

Courier reports on Saturday march & rally

Today's Courier reports on yesterday's March and Rally in downtown Plainfield.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg hospital supporters stage rally".

March & Rally downtown, tomorrow

MARCH & RALLY


Saturday, May 17
Noon

Starts at Park Avenue & East Front Street
and continues throughout Business District.

Info: Call POP, (908) 731-1517.

Legislators want more $$$ for hospitals

Legislators spoke of more money for hospitals yesterday, according to a report in today's Courier -- read more here: "Lawmakers want more budget cuts restored".

Read carefully. You may begin to understand why putting a wind farm at the State House might not be such a bad idea.

Saturday March and Rally

MARCH & RALLY

Saturday, May 17
Noon

Starts at Park Avenue & East Front Street

Info: Call POP, (908) 731-1517.

Keystone Cops rerun? Solaris cancels Edison appearance.

Is this Solaris concept of crisis management?

Solaris abruptly cancelled its planned appearance and presentation to the Edison Township Council which had been scheduled for Monday evening.

The news was shared in an email from Olive Lynch of the Buy Muhlenberg coalition that went out about 6:45 PM yesterday.

No one knows WHY the presentation was cancelled -- whether it was because they got wind that a big delegation of Muhlenberg supporters was coming or for some other reason.

But it kind of underscores the miserable job of crisis communications management McGee and his Solaris team are running.

Someone close to Solaris remarked to me it was the worst they have ever seen.

Reminds me of the Keystone Cops.

-- Dan Damon

Muhlenberg: State looking into alleged malfeasance

The Courier's front page story on this matter is not online as of 11:00 AM (or at least I can't find it). Below, you can find the text of the press release issued by Olive Lynch of the Buy Muhlenberg drive yesterday, as well as the complete text of the letter to the State. -- Dan Damon

PRESS RELEASE

On April 18, the BUY Muhlenberg committee sent a letter to the Attorney General requesting an investigation of Solaris' activities and practices regarding Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. This letter (attached), outlined suspicions regarding Solaris' activities and informed the Attorney General that evidence gathered by the committee which prompted the investigation request, would substantiate these suspicious and would be shared.

Friday, May 9, an investigtor, Kevin Nolan, from the Attorney General's Newark office contacted Olive Lynch, coordinator of the BUY Muhlenberg campaign and requested the committee send the gathered evidence to their office.

Monday afternoon, May 12, documents, analysis and other information were shared.

"We are very encouraged that the Attorney General has acted so quickly on our request," said Olive Lynch.

The information gathered was a team effort. "None of this could have happened except for the tireless work of Nancy Piwowar, Gayle Jones, Carrie Faraone, John Gostel and Rev. Jim Colvin. Many people, afraid for their jobs at Muhlenberg, came forward and shared information with us," said Lynch.

"Based on the information we have gathered, we believe there is a clear pattern of malfeasance on the part of Solaris towards its affiliate, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center," states Lynch. "Our hope is the Attorney General will agree and launch a formal investigation."

LETTER TO STATE

April 18, 2008

Lawrence Biondo
NJ Attorney General’s Office
124 Halsey Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Dear Mr. Biondo:

This letter represents the interests of the communities served by the Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, located in Plainfield, NJ.

We, by this letter, formally request the NJ Attorney General to investigate the following:

1. The surrounding communities (hereafter, “Citizens”) believe that the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (hereafter, “NJ Dept of Health”) has acted in collusion with Solaris Health System (hereafter, “Solaris”) regarding the closing of Muhlenberg Hospital. These entities have effectively decided to close the facility without allowing the public their due process, as defined by law, in an unbiased and fair manner. We base this charge on the public testimony of Paula Howard, stating Muhlenberg would be closing, and given the fact the public hearing for the closing has not yet occurred and is slated for May 6, 2008.

2. Citizens charge that the NJ Dept of Health has not acted in the best interest of the citizens, as is their mandate, by not following proper procedure and expressing a biased opinion before Citizens can present evidence and facts at the May 6 public hearing.

3. Citizens charge that Solaris has manipulated their accounting to improperly and illegally cast Muhlenberg as non-viable health care institution.

4. Citizens charge that management of Solaris has not been transparent in their financial and other dealings, as is mandated by their status as a non-profit.

5. Citizens charge that Solaris over the past years since the merger of JFK and Muhlenberg, has followed a pernicious pattern of “cherry picking” profitable practices at Muhlenberg and transferring them to JFK.

6. Citizens charge that Solaris over the past years since the merger has transferred endowments funds, slated specifically for the benefit of the Muhlenberg community, to JFK.

7. Citizens charge that the CEO of Solaris has an improper relationship with an entity selling hospital supplies, therefore causing a conflict of interest in his role as CEO of Solaris and resulting in his unjust enrichment at the expense of Citizens.

8. Citizens charge that Solaris has failed the mandate of their non-profit status and abused said status. Their mandate since the merger of Solaris and JFK is to provide health care services to both communities. Citizens charge Solaris has improperly used resources and assets of the Muhlenberg community to unjustly and illegally enrich the JFK community.

We, by this letter, request the NJ Attorney General take the following action on behalf of Citizens:

1. Investigate why the NJ Dept of Health has denied the Citizens proper, fair, and unbiased due process in the closing of Muhlenberg Hospital.

2. Investigate the activities of Solaris and Solaris’ CEO. We will provide you with the documentation and evidence we have gathered.

3. We request the NJ Attorney’s Office, on behalf of citizens, file an injuction to Solaris Health System to stop and desist from the active transfer of assets and employees from Muhlenberg to JFK until the state has granted the closing request in the formal, legal manner outlined by law.


We appreciate your attention to this matter and request that your response be in writing to the below contact address. We will follow up with a phone call to confirm your receipt, discuss how to provide you with our documentation and evidence and discuss first steps.

We include for your reference our letter to the NJ Depart of Health.

Buy Muhlenberg
c/o Olive Lynch
220 West 7th Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060

Sincerely,

Ledger notice of 2nd Muhlenberg hearing

Today's Star-Ledger contains a notice of the newly-scheduled 2nd hearing on the Muhlenberg closure.

Read more here: "Second hearing is set on plan to shut hospital".

Muhlenberg and Mother's Day

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon reflects on the Mother's Day of a Muhlenberg employee, the grandmother of his godson.

Read more here: "A Muhlenberg Mother's Day".

Planning tonight for Saturday march and rally

Planning meeting tonight at 6:30 at duCret School of the Arts, 1030 Central Avenue, to prepare for Saturday's rally and march.

The Saturday event will kick off at Noon from East Front Street and Park Avenue.

For more info, call POP at (908) 731-1518.

2nd Hearing Date Set for June 5

PUBLIC HEARING #2 ON MUHLENBERG CLOSURE
Thursday, June 5, 2008
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
PHS Auditorium

Comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person.
To register, call: 609-292-7874

The Certificate of Need Application is available online for reading or printing on the 'Save Muhlenberg' blog (see HERE), or at the Plainfield Public Library.


Comments may also be submitted in writing after the hearing. Commenters are urged to make their comments concise. Comments must be received by the State Health Planning Board no later than June 12, 2008 at the following address:

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Market & Warren Streets
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0360

The Board intends to review the application at an upcoming scheduled meeting.

For further information, call the Department at 609-292-7874 or send an email to jamie.hernandez@doh.state.nj.us.

Courier Editorial: Hearings an insult

In an editorial today, the Courier News administers a smackdown to the state over the public hearing process involved in the proposed closure of Muhlenberg hospital.

Read more here: "Open minds needed on Muhlenberg closure".

Councilor Cory Storch's statement against closing Muhlenberg

Plainfield City Councilor Cory Storch was among those who spoke at the state's hearing on the proposed closure of Muhlenberg by Solaris Health System.

A healthcare professional (he is executive director of Bridgeway, the state's most prominent private mental health services agency), Storch spoke as a healthcare professional, not an elected official, and focused on mental-health related issues.

Read more here: "Save Muhlenberg Hospital".

Green says hopes 'misrepresented'; Mayor drops ball

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon puts up two posts today --

• "Green, McGee: Hopes of Muhlenberg rescue 'grossly misrepresented'"
• "The Mayor and the Muhlenberg Mess"

Courier coverage of Trenton rally highlights important point

As Plainfielders and others took the case for Muhlenberg to Trenton on Thursday, the Gannett State Bureau, which covered the event, brought a fresh point to public attention -- that Muhlenberg sits at the juncture of three counties (Union, Somerset and Middlesex). Read more here: "Rally to save Muhlenberg moves to Trenton".

The significance is that the state views hospital funding on a county-by-county basis -- meaning that Trinitas in Elizabeth, as the county's largest supplier of charity care gets the lion's share of state funding. Never mind that Muhlenberg's service area is a crucial component of the tri-county area. For the state, Muhlenberg might as well be in Montana.

Letter: Muhlenberg loss would be our own

Robert Jones of Edison writes of his recent experience as a Muhlenberg patient in a letter (online only) to the Courier News.

Read more here: "Hospital loss would be our own".

Closing's Union County impact

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon points readers toward an assessment of the impact of Muhlenberg's closing on Union County's emergency preparedness plans.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg closing impacts County's emergency preparedness".

Let's just say it ain't good.

Muhlenberg: Courier finally gets Tuesday letters up

Plainfielders anxious to read the letters and editorial in yesterday's (5/6/08) Courier about the impact and options around the Muhlenberg closing had to wait until later in the day, but they were finally put online.

Here's what you'll find:

Editorial: "Muhlenberg's fate still could be altered"
Letters --

• Annie McWilliams & Adrian Mapp: "Hospital's salvation comes through insurance"
• Gail Georges, RN: "Muhlenberg is part of community fabric"
• Robert Lauer, PhD, MD: "Muhleberg's demise will jeopardize lives"
• Nancy Piwowar: "Will Somerset Medical be hurt by closure?"
• Linda Simms: "Green's planning will help public adjust"

The Assembly wants to help?

Over at Plainfield Today, Dan Damon takes a look at the Assembly's huffing and puffing yesterday on legislation to aid hospitals.

Read more here: "Assembly huffs and puffs over hospital woes".

Muhlenberg: Courier drops ball today

With the state's hearing on Solaris' proposed closure of Plainfield's Muhlenberg hospital set for 6PM this evening at PHS, today's Courier is filled up with an editorial and five significant letters to the editor. Fine piece of community coverage.

But not online.

Supporters of Muhlenberg will have to hustle their print editions, as the Courier does not have the coverage online as of 9:00 AM.

Here's what you'll find:

Editorial: "Muhlenberg's fate still could be altered"
Letters --

• Annie McWilliams & Adrian Mapp: "Hospital's salvation comes through insurance"
• Gail Georges, RN: "Muhlenberg is part of community fabric"
• Robert Lauer, PhD, MD: "Muhleberg's demise will jeopardize lives"
• Nancy Piwowar: "Will Somerset Medical be hurt by closure?"
• Linda Simms: "Green's planning will help public adjust"

Will put them up later if they appear online.

Looks like Plainfield and central Jersey's fabled morning paper is becoming its mid-morning paper. How's that help circulation?

---

-- Dan Damon

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.

Letter: Muhlenberg closing would devastate Plainfield

South Plainfield resident Robert Buck has a letter in the Courier about the effects a closure would have on Plainfield and the surrounding communities.

Read more here: "Hospital closing would be devastating blow to community".

Muhlenberg update from Dottie Gutenkauf

From: Dottie Gutenkauf

Date: May 4, 2008 5:21:07 PM EDT

Subject: Muhlenberg Update--May 4, 2008--please share!

Well, the time has finally arrived!

We who care about keeping Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center open as a full-service acute care hospital will finally have a chance to tell state officials what we think about Solaris' proposal to close it so they can "strengthen" JFK Hospital in Edison.

The State Health Planning Board has scheduled its public hearing for Tuesday, May 6, from 6 to 8 pm in the Plainfield High School auditorium (950 Park Avenue). If you haven't already signed up to testify, you can still do so by calling the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services at 609-292-7874 or by emailing DoHSS staffer Jamie Hernandez at jamie.hernandez@doh.state.nj.us. The list is long--but put your name on it anyway; you can always cede your time to someone else or submit a written statement either at the hearing or by mail to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 360, Trenton, New Jersey 08625.. The deadline for receiving written comments is Tuesday, May 13th.

The hearing will begin promptly at 6 pm and end promptly at 8. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes--that's only 180 seconds--and elected officials are called on first. Then, the rest of us will have our chance. Those preparing to testify include leaders not only from Plainfield but from surrounding communities served by Muhlenberg, representing area clergy, community organizations, local businesses, medical professionals, the educational community, and concerned citizens.

Think of the impact closing Muhlenberg will have on residents of the Plainfield area...on our health care...our economy...our children...our community.... our visitors... all of us. We are in critical condition, and Muhlenberg is much too important to be used as a political football.

Please come out on Tuesday to show your support for keeping Muhlenberg open and serving our community--the life you save may be your own!

Dottie Gutenkauf

Hearing details, editorial and more today

Today's Courier, both print and online, has a number of items about the upcoming (Tuesday) state public hearing and and editorial on what Solaris owes the community.

Check it all out over at Dan Damon's Plainfield Today. See here: "Muhlenberg much in the news today".

Will Somerset save Muhlenberg?

Ken Bateman, CEO of Somerset Medical Center makes the front page of today's Courier with a proposal that might -- just might -- save Muhlenberg.

Is it all smoke-and-mirrors?

Read more here: "Green urges Somerset MC to save Muhlenberg".

Courier reveals earlier, missed opportunity to save Muhlenberg

In a front-page story (not online yet, unfortunately), today's Courier reveals that Assemblyman Jerry Green and Mayor Robinson-Briggs had an earlier opportunity to save Muhlenberg, but apparently failed to act.

Dan Damon blogs on the matter at Plainfield Today.

See more here: "Green, Robinson-Briggs failed to take up earlier option to save Muhlenberg".

Letter: More time needed for Muhlenberg buyer

Maria Pellum of the Crescent Area Neighbors has a letter in today's Courier.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg negotiators need more time to find a buyer".