Letter to the Editor

Hospital System needs funds to secure continued operations

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

To the editor:

I have served on the Mississippi County Hospital System Board of Governors for over six years. My cousin, Bo Huffman, asked me to serve in his position when he moved to Nashville, Tenn. The Quorum Court approved my nomination. When I first went on the board, we did not have regular meetings. Unfortunately, the management company that was operating the hospitals at the time did a lot of damage to our system. The board decided on a change of direction and hired Quorum Health Resources out of Nashville. Their current management team of Ralph Beaty, CEO, and Randy Nichols, CFO, along with our administration team, doctors, nurses and other dedicated employees, have done a very good job of maintaining services for the citizens of Mississippi County.

Our devoted and concerned board members have met monthly since the operations of the hospitals have been stressed. We have monthly finance committee meetings attended by committee members Dr. Van Parker, Bobbie Hampton, John Logan and myself, overlooking all financial matters of both hospitals. Some people find it easy to criticize volunteers of giving of their time and talents for the benefit of others. However, we need to have people that are willing to stay positive and work diligently for the entire county.

I have read several articles from individuals that are opposed to the half-cent tax. I understand that no one likes any additional taxes; however, the hospitals must have funds in order to secure the continued operation of facilities that are critical for our county. We need funds to maintain the operation of our aging buildings, the recruitment of doctors, updating of life-saving equipment and money to fund payroll for the 350 employees in this county.

Our board and management team have done the best we can to keep the hospital system operating. As for the board members and staff of the hospital system, we will do everything in our power to provide excellent health care for everyone. If the hospitals were forced to have reduced services or even one day close, this action would be a death blow to Mississippi County.

I strongly urge each and every one to vote for the half-cent tax on Oct. 14. Thank you for your attention to this letter.

Mike Huffman, vice chairman
Mississippi County Hospital System