Two Finalists React to Skaggs Decision

Skaggs Regional Medical Center (Photo By: Monte Schisler)

By: Monte Schisler, News Director
Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2012

Now some information about the two companies selected as finalists:

Cox Health is a non-profit organization with three hospitals and numerous clinics in Southwest Missouri.

In an email statement to HometownDailyNews.com from company CEO Steve Edwards, he says Cox Health is pleased to be selected as a finalist. He says if chosen, Cox Health would keep the Skaggs name and Board of Directors. Edwards added that Cox Health is absolutely committed to growing services to better serve the Branson area.

LifePoint Hospitals is a for profit company that is publicly traded. The 3-point-5 billion dollar healthcare organization owns and operates 55 hospitals in 18 states. A company spokeswoman says LifePoint is delighted to be chosen as a finalist and believes it has a lot to offer Skaggs and the surrounding community.

=====(2^ND Version)=====

Now some brief information about the two companies selected as finalists:

Cox Health is a non-profit organization with three hospitals and numerous clinics in Southwest Missouri. CEO Steve Edwards says in an email statement to HometownDailyNews.com the Cox Health mission, culture and beliefs are uniquely compatible with Skaggs vision and the company has a strong interest in forming an alliance.

LifePoint Hospitals is a for profit company that is publicly traded. The 3-point-5 billion dollar healthcare organization owns and operates 55 facilities in 18 states, and says it specializes in community hospitals.

Comments (6) - comment on this story

southofthebridge - 04/27/2012 5:57:14 AM

I would prefer the connection with Cox. We know what their facilities are like and see to be a caring hospital. Those that operate for profit are scary.What come first care or profit. Sure would like to know about both of them.The way Skaggs has operated in recent times, it is no wonder that doctors are leaving. Let get a real true hospital for our area.

Tommy - 04/27/2012 9:41:13 AM

I totally agree,this should be a no brainer, definately Cox should come, like the other person wrote: The hospital that is listed for profit, is that all that will be on their mind is money, I believe an organization has no right to be in the medical field unless their first priority is saving someones life.

question - 04/27/2012 10:06:47 AM

I would be curious to know if either of these facilities would accept Mercy Health insurance as skaggs currently accepts both Mercy and Cox insurance plans. That would make a huge difference to several in this community.

local- had fabulous surgical results in St John's - 04/27/2012 10:51:28 AM

St john's aka Mercy.

bardreader - 04/27/2012 11:35:54 AM

With all due respect to southofthebridge's comment, a for-profit hospital is not necessarily a bad thing; Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, as well as the Methodist Hospital System and Memorial Hermann hospitals in Houston are just a few examples of excellent for-profit hospitals which I have had the opportunity to see up close and personal. The care I, and/or family members received at these specific facilities was excellent, and in some cases exceptional. Yes, indeed we are all familiar with Cox Health System, but respectfully consider; seeming to care is not the same as excellent care. Considering the poor business practices conducted at Skaggs (evidence their abysmal balance sheet resulting in physician and staff departures), a for-profit hospital corporation take-over may be just what the doctor ordered for this struggling organization.

Really? - 04/27/2012 11:44:45 AM

How many teachers come and go from the school districts in the area in a given year? How many entertainers come and go from the theatres? How many business people come and go from local retailers? Does that make them bad or of low quality? No. Doctors are no different. They move on for other opportunities, for family (this isn't a very accepting place to be for new folks), to get more education...all the reasons you or I might decide to make a change.