ECMC Public Benefit Corporation Dissolve?

[Rocksimm]

In his state of the County Address, the County Executive called for the Public Benefit Corporation that is ECMC to be dissolved, and for a full asset merger to take place with Kaleida.

The same day that the County Executive was pontificating about this pie in the sky wish of his, ECMC was releasing their 2007 financial data.

They reported a $17 million dollar surplus, and announced that they would not need an operating subsidy from the County for 2008. This is despite the fact that expenses increased and less federal and state revenues came through than in past years. This is also despite that fact that Joel Giambria cooked up some ridiculous deal for ECMC to sell itself to itself, so he could soak some money out of it to cover the deficits that he created during his tenure.

So, ECMC went into a boat load of debt to bail out County operations, and jsut a few years later, they are reporting record surpluses, and turning down a multi million dollar operating subsidy from the County that put them into debt? Seems to me that the incredible performance of ECMC is bailing out the County of Erie, and not the reverse.

Collins's pie in the sky wish would hurt the taxpayers of Erie County, and furthermore would hurt the health care needs of this region. The ship has sailed, and a merger between ECMC and Kaleida will not happen. County Executive, give it a rest. You're a day late and a dollar short on this one.

[sneakers77]

In his state of the County Address, the County Executive called for the Public Benefit Corporation that is ECMC to be dissolved, and for a full asset merger to take place with Kaleida.

The same day that the County Executive was pontificating about this pie in the sky wish of his, ECMC was releasing their 2007 financial data.

They reported a $17 million dollar surplus, and announced that they would not need an operating subsidy from the County for 2008. This is despite the fact that expenses increased and less federal and state revenues came through than in past years. This is also despite that fact that Joel Giambria cooked up some ridiculous deal for ECMC to sell itself to itself, so he could soak some money out of it to cover the deficits that he created during his tenure.

So, ECMC went into a boat load of debt to bail out County operations, and jsut a few years later, they are reporting record surpluses, and turning down a multi million dollar operating subsidy from the County that put them into debt? Seems to me that the incredible performance of ECMC is bailing out the County of Erie, and not the reverse.

Collins's pie in the sky wish would hurt the taxpayers of Erie County, and furthermore would hurt the health care needs of this region. The ship has sailed, and a merger between ECMC and Kaleida will not happen. County Executive, give it a rest. You're a day late and a dollar short on this one.

Would it be politically correct to state that county employees that belong to a union had a hand with this corporation turning a $17 million dollar surplus?

[JustRetired]

Would it be politically correct to state that county employees that belong to a union had a hand with this corporation turning a $17 million dollar surplus?

Yes, it would be fair, but they won't get any credit for it.

[buffy]

Would it be politically correct to state that county employees that belong to a union had a hand with this corporation turning a $17 million dollar surplus?

County employees had nothing at all to do with the $17 million dollar surplus. Are you kidding me? It had EVERYTHING to do with CEO Michael YOung!

[WNYresident]

County employees had nothing at all to do with the $17 million dollar surplus. Are you kidding me? It had EVERYTHING to do with CEO Michael YOung!

Operating procedure was changed by Young. It was still the same employees that were there before correct?

[cookie]

If the employees initiated cost cutting procedures, they deserve some credit. All kinds of savings can go on though, but those savings mean nothing unless they are managed in the proper way to leverage savings into profits. Doing things more efficiently does not automatically translate into profits. It takes both employees and management imho.

[Rocksimm]

Operating procedure was changed by Young. It was still the same employees that were there before correct?

Yes, you are correct. There has been no wholesale change in the workforce. Which proves that the employees of ECMC were never the problem. Instead, financial stunts like Giambra's selling ECMC to itself have been the problem.

I also agree that Michael Young has proven to be a very effective administrator, and deserves alot of credit for turning the hospital around. He has the advantage of employing a committed effective workforce, who can carry out his initiatives.

[Rocksimm]

County employees had nothing at all to do with the $17 million dollar surplus. Are you kidding me? It had EVERYTHING to do with CEO Michael YOung!

It's not an either/or proposition. Both parties deserve alot of credit for this turn around. And both parties need each other to sustain this high level of efficiency and growth.

[Rocksimm]

So, I did a little research on the issue of the Public Benefit Corporation that is ECMC, and the law that created it contians a very specific procedure for dissovling or changing the PBC.

First, the County Legislature has to pass a home rule asking the State Legislature to make that change. Then someone in the Leg has to introduce a bill supporting the home rule, and both houses of the leg have to pass the bill, and the governor has to sign it.

Collins said in the newspaper that he asked the new Governor to support dissolving the public benefit corporation. He's starting in the wrong place!!!

The State can do nothing on the subject until and unless the County Leg passed a home rule seeking the disolution of the PBC.

Maybe Collins needs some better advisors on government affairs, and state law. I guess that's what you get when you surround yourself with people who have know understanding of muncipal law (County attorney with no municipal law experience).

[Rocksimm]

Just did a little more research on the subject, and found that the County leg already sent a home rule message to the State leg on January 25th.

It said exactly the opposite of what Mr. Collins is advocating for!!

It fully supported the continuance of the public benefit corporation instead of asking to dissolve it.

Why is Collins asking the governor to do something that he cannot do? The issue has already been decided, because the County Leg already stated their position on the issue.

Talk about barking up the wrong tree!!