No word on Robinson-Briggs acceptance of Muhlenberg oversight yet

Mayor Robinson-Briggs was to get back to Commissioner Heather Howard by the end of the week (September 26th), answering the Commissioner's questions about the proposed Community Advisory Group (CAG) and whether she intended to take up the role of monitor. (See more HERE.)

As of Saturday, no word has been given of the Mayor's reponse, and there is no information available on the city's website.

Robinson-Briggs may take on managing Muhlenberg monitor

Commissioner Heather Howard is proposing that responsibility for the oversight group outlined in her conditions for Solaris' closure of Muhlenberg be handed over to the office of Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, according to a report in Tuesday's Courier.

Howard asked for specifics of the group's makeup and meeting schedules, which Mayor Robinson-Briggs said would be forthcoming by the end of the week.

The Mayor intends to bring the matter up with the Council -- which she refers to as 'our partners in this' -- when it meets in a special session she has called for Wednesday to present the Administration's proposed FY2009 budget.

Read the full story here: "Mayor's office may take on managing advisory group in Muhlenberg closure".

Report: As economy tanks, consumers cut health spending

The Wall Street Journal reports that a study finds many are cutting back on health care as the economy sours.

Income strictures, combined with higher copays, are leading many to forego doctor's visits, testing and even how often they fill their prescriptions.

For the first time in at least a decade, year-over-year spending dropped -- in the second quarter by nearly 2%.

Read the full story here: "Consumers Cut Health Spending, As Economic Downturn Takes Toll".

Muhlenberg Foundation: Plainfield-focused and independent

Comforting news in today's Courier: The Muhlenberg Foundation is independent of Solaris and will continue to raise and dispense monies for Plainfield-related health care activities and issues, according to board president Oliver Anderson.

The story by reporter Mark Spivey should help quell concerns that Solaris has control of the foundation, though somehow the many people involved in 'Restore Muhlenberg' got short shrift while one person was spotlighted.

Read the full story here: "Muhlenberg hospital donations will go to community".

Hospitals peddle 'fake news'

The government isn't the only one out there peddling 'fake news' -- spin-filled stories peddled to promote a specific point of view and published with 'lite' or no editing or attribution by the news media, print and TV.

Writing in In These Times, Emily Udell reports on the troubling trend of newspapers allowing hospital public relations offices to write articles for their health pages -- without attribution.

Read more here: "Hospital Flacks Spread Fake News".

Muhlenberg tops JFK in state performance review

Muhlenberg's Overall Score. (Click to enlarge image.)

The release of the state's 5th annual hospital performance report has some interesting comparisons between Muhlenberg and JFK.

JKF's Overall Score. (Click to enlarge image.)

Here are links to the individual report cards: Muhlenberg | JFK |.

Read the full story in the --

Courier: "Central Jersey hospitals among those to rank high on annual report cards"
Ledger: "Annual grading shows Jersey hospitals' care on upswing"

Muhlenberg Closure: 2nd Appeal filed by POP, Restore Muhlenberg

Independently of the city of Plainfield, POP and Restore Muhlenberg have filed an appeal of the closure of Muhlenberg by Solaris Health System.

Writing in today's Courier, Mark Spivey reports on how POP attorney Bennet Zurofsky's appeal differs from the city's -- alleging a breach of fiduciary responsibilities by the Muhlenberg and Solaris boards.

Read the complete story here: "Second appeal filed in protest of decision to close Plainfield's Muhlenberg Hospital".