Yesterday's event was a great success. The prayers the clergy offered were as diverse as the people attending -- uplifting, praying for all of us to be our better selves, prayers for the needs of the people to be answered. It's wonderful to see everyone united. Based on the pledges to purchase shares in BUY Muhlenberg, individuals came not only from Plainfield, but there were people from Piscataway, Westfield, Edison, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Greenbrook, Bridgewater -- even Bernardsville!
I was glad to see community leaders in attendance -- those that I saw, Rashid Burney, Jerry Green, candidates for council Annie Williams and Adrian Mapp. No matter what your politics, it's important that we all come together to solve the loss of the hospital. We need to work together to find solutions.
Now, to the BUY Muhlenberg campaign. We got off to a roaring success. I was thrilled with the press' coverage. I'm encouraged and humbled by people's response. One gentleman said when he saw the story, he called friends and associates in New York City, spreading the word to get pledges. Another woman said she has budgeted $60 a month to contribute to buy our hospital. There was hope, excitement, and yes, determination in the faces of those I saw who stood in line to sign to pledge funds. People took pledge sheets to raise funds from church groups, organizations, going door to door in neighborhoods and to get support from business.
It's exciting what can be accomplished when people unite in a vision and work together!
There have been some negative comments, of course. When people take on a daunting task, there will always be those who only point out the difficulties. Of course this won't be easy. But, anything worthwhile never is. One comment on a blog called this campaign a "joke." This makes me sad for them. Is it a joke when people unite to find a solution to critical services being taken away?
Anyway, yesterday we raised 21,890 in pledges towards the campaign. A joke? I think not. We're off to a roaring start.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
How Would BUY Muhlenberg Work?
I've received questions ....
How this would work?
BUY Muhlenberg is essentially a holding entity solely created to hold funds to only be used for the purchase of Muhlenberg. Any funds needed for professional and other costs would be raised separately. Whether the final entity that would purchase and manage Muhlenberg would be a for-profit (shares would stay in place) or non-profit (shares would convert to being a voting member, that's non-profit version of a share)... that would have to be determined.
While we are raising funds, a professional team is right now being put together --- people with the expertise to run a hospital or find those professionals (remember, about 20 hospitals in NJ have been closed ... some people running around without jobs), different individuals with professional skills. This is happening now. We are reaching out to individuals who are interested in this community, care about Muhlenberg and what it was originally created to do (provide top-notch health care irregardless of ability to pay), people who, like you and I, want to keep Muhlenberg open, and who are not looking to make a buck out of the process.
Who is involved?
The individuals who are this start-up's officers, who are 100% committed that funds raised go only to a purchase of the hospital are:
Olive Lynch, president
Rev. Ball, pastor of Rose of Sharon Church, vice-president
Steve Hatcher, POP, secretary
Nancy Piwowar, treasurer
A number of people are actively working on this (I'll get a list together later and post). We will be seeking out and inviting many other talented, skilled, and committed individuals to assist us in this mission. Hey, we are only 4 days old!
We plan to be completely transparent. I will post monies taken in, what issues we are facing, what decisions need to be made. We want everyone's feedback and input. If we put heart and minds together, we can creatively and effectively solve any problem.
For the state to take us seriously, while we capitalize BUY Muhlenberg, we will have to put together a team, a business plan, 5-year projections. Our goal is to get this done before the May 6 hearing, so the state will not grant Solaris' request for closure, because there is a valid buyer knocking at the door.
A team of people are gathering data, researching Muhlenberg's endowments, investigating interesting relationships between different parties, getting public domain documents related to Solaris (such as tax returns, incorporation papers. We're asking questions -- for example, what were the terms, if any, for dissolution and dispersal of assets of either JFK or Muhlenberg in the initial merger agreement, etc). Our goal is to provide facts, figures and penetrating questions of Solaris, for the state May 6 hearing.
What if Solaris won't sell Muhlenberg ... or they ask way, way too much money?
Solaris (from our intel) owes $18 million and they want $30 million for the Muhlenberg campus. No one in their right mind would assume their debt AND pay for the buildings. If we raise the funds and submit a reasonable offer, and it's rejected ... then, well, we'll build a brand new spanking state of the art hospital ... say in one of the designated redevelopment areas downtown. We definitely will demand Solaris hand over Muhlenberg's endowments (which belong to the COMMUNITY that created them, not Solaris, JFK, or Edison).
How about that for a powerful vision?
I'm sure everyone has been feeling victimized by this entire process. Solaris has had this closing planned for a long, long time. Big business doesn't do things on the spur of the moment. People in high positions have had to have known about this (like our Health Commissioner) and decided that they know what's best for us. It's enough to make people give up.
Well, I submit to you this is America ... the land where WE THE PEOPLE still rules. WE, together, can decide our fate. If we want a hospital to be here to serve this community and the surrounding communities, WE can make it happen. The white knight is not going to come riding into town to save us, and the barbarians are at the gate, raping our hospital, taking what has taken our community 131 years to build.
We, together, can save each other and ourselves.
How this would work?
BUY Muhlenberg is essentially a holding entity solely created to hold funds to only be used for the purchase of Muhlenberg. Any funds needed for professional and other costs would be raised separately. Whether the final entity that would purchase and manage Muhlenberg would be a for-profit (shares would stay in place) or non-profit (shares would convert to being a voting member, that's non-profit version of a share)... that would have to be determined.
While we are raising funds, a professional team is right now being put together --- people with the expertise to run a hospital or find those professionals (remember, about 20 hospitals in NJ have been closed ... some people running around without jobs), different individuals with professional skills. This is happening now. We are reaching out to individuals who are interested in this community, care about Muhlenberg and what it was originally created to do (provide top-notch health care irregardless of ability to pay), people who, like you and I, want to keep Muhlenberg open, and who are not looking to make a buck out of the process.
Who is involved?
The individuals who are this start-up's officers, who are 100% committed that funds raised go only to a purchase of the hospital are:
Olive Lynch, president
Rev. Ball, pastor of Rose of Sharon Church, vice-president
Steve Hatcher, POP, secretary
Nancy Piwowar, treasurer
A number of people are actively working on this (I'll get a list together later and post). We will be seeking out and inviting many other talented, skilled, and committed individuals to assist us in this mission. Hey, we are only 4 days old!
We plan to be completely transparent. I will post monies taken in, what issues we are facing, what decisions need to be made. We want everyone's feedback and input. If we put heart and minds together, we can creatively and effectively solve any problem.
For the state to take us seriously, while we capitalize BUY Muhlenberg, we will have to put together a team, a business plan, 5-year projections. Our goal is to get this done before the May 6 hearing, so the state will not grant Solaris' request for closure, because there is a valid buyer knocking at the door.
A team of people are gathering data, researching Muhlenberg's endowments, investigating interesting relationships between different parties, getting public domain documents related to Solaris (such as tax returns, incorporation papers. We're asking questions -- for example, what were the terms, if any, for dissolution and dispersal of assets of either JFK or Muhlenberg in the initial merger agreement, etc). Our goal is to provide facts, figures and penetrating questions of Solaris, for the state May 6 hearing.
What if Solaris won't sell Muhlenberg ... or they ask way, way too much money?
Solaris (from our intel) owes $18 million and they want $30 million for the Muhlenberg campus. No one in their right mind would assume their debt AND pay for the buildings. If we raise the funds and submit a reasonable offer, and it's rejected ... then, well, we'll build a brand new spanking state of the art hospital ... say in one of the designated redevelopment areas downtown. We definitely will demand Solaris hand over Muhlenberg's endowments (which belong to the COMMUNITY that created them, not Solaris, JFK, or Edison).
How about that for a powerful vision?
I'm sure everyone has been feeling victimized by this entire process. Solaris has had this closing planned for a long, long time. Big business doesn't do things on the spur of the moment. People in high positions have had to have known about this (like our Health Commissioner) and decided that they know what's best for us. It's enough to make people give up.
Well, I submit to you this is America ... the land where WE THE PEOPLE still rules. WE, together, can decide our fate. If we want a hospital to be here to serve this community and the surrounding communities, WE can make it happen. The white knight is not going to come riding into town to save us, and the barbarians are at the gate, raping our hospital, taking what has taken our community 131 years to build.
We, together, can save each other and ourselves.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Creation of Buy Muhlenberg - Background and Mission
Given the non-responsiveness of both local and state government officials and Solaris’ inability, manipulation of financials, or lack of desire to keep the 131-old facility open; Buy Muhlenberg will provide the citizens, businesses, churches and other organizations of the surrounding adversely-impacted communities (Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Dunellen, Green Brook, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Westfield, Mountainside) the mechanism to form a community-owned corporation, to raise funds to purchase and manage the hospital, so citizens of these communities will not be denied critical, timely, and readily-available acute care services.
The idea has been whole-hearted endorsed and embraced by People for Progress (POP) and the surrounding clergy, who object to the Muhlenberg closure. Olive Lynch proposed the idea at the April 14 meeting of POP at the duCret School of Art.
Since Monday, the POP, citizens and community leaders we have spoken to, unanimously support the concept of citizens raising money and buying Muhlenberg hospital. An investment bank, Raymond James & Associates, has expressed interest in working with BUY MUHLENBERG, as well as several other financial institutions contacted.
Buy Muhlenberg will be officially launched at the Prayer Vigil, Saturday, April 19, at Muhlenberg. This is an opportunity for citizens of Plainfield and all surrounding townships to KEEP MUHLENBERG HOSPITAL. If we buy the hospital, no one can take it away from us. We can direct the type of care, operations and goals of the hospital -- not a big business non-profit corporation.
BUY MUHLENBERG is actively working with the doctors and nurses of Muhlenberg, to develop a team to manage a community-owned hospital; as well as develping a team of professionals on the legal and financial side.
Shares in BUY MUHLENBERG are affordable -- $20/a share. A share entities you to 1 vote. Everyone can own a piece of their community hospital and have a voice.
Below is a short prospectus for BUY MUHLENBERG
The idea has been whole-hearted endorsed and embraced by People for Progress (POP) and the surrounding clergy, who object to the Muhlenberg closure. Olive Lynch proposed the idea at the April 14 meeting of POP at the duCret School of Art.
Since Monday, the POP, citizens and community leaders we have spoken to, unanimously support the concept of citizens raising money and buying Muhlenberg hospital. An investment bank, Raymond James & Associates, has expressed interest in working with BUY MUHLENBERG, as well as several other financial institutions contacted.
Buy Muhlenberg will be officially launched at the Prayer Vigil, Saturday, April 19, at Muhlenberg. This is an opportunity for citizens of Plainfield and all surrounding townships to KEEP MUHLENBERG HOSPITAL. If we buy the hospital, no one can take it away from us. We can direct the type of care, operations and goals of the hospital -- not a big business non-profit corporation.
BUY MUHLENBERG is actively working with the doctors and nurses of Muhlenberg, to develop a team to manage a community-owned hospital; as well as develping a team of professionals on the legal and financial side.
Shares in BUY MUHLENBERG are affordable -- $20/a share. A share entities you to 1 vote. Everyone can own a piece of their community hospital and have a voice.
Below is a short prospectus for BUY MUHLENBERG
Prospectus
Purchase of Shares in
Buy Muhlenberg
Community Campaign to Purchase Muhlenberg
Subject Facility: Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center is a 396-bed acute care facility that provides inpatient and outpatient services in all major medical specialties. Other specialized services include a complete array of cardiac services (including emergency angioplasty), a Bariatric Surgery Center, Vein Center, Lithotripsy Center, Wound Care Center, hemodialysis, home care, hospice and adult medical day care. The Medical Center also shares a collaborative relationship with the Plainfield Health Center, a federally qualified community health center serving the greater Union County area.
Business Reason for Purchase: Solaris Health System, the current non-profit owner-operator of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, has announced its closing. Muhlenberg serves a 250,000 population and is a viable, top-notch health facility.
Given the non-responsiveness of both local and state government officials and Solaris’ inability, manipulation of financials, or lack of desire to keep the 131-old facility open; Buy Muhlenberg will provide the citizens, businesses, churches and other organizations of the surrounding adversely-impacted communities (Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Dunellen, Green Brook, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Westfield, Mountainside) the mechanism to form a community-owned corporation, to raise funds to purchase and manage the hospital, so citizens of these communities will not be denied critical, timely, and readily-available acute care services.
Stakeholders: The entity formed to own and administer the hospital will be owned via “shares” in the entity. Every share in the non-profit will entitle the shareholder to a vote in the running and decision-making of the entity and entitle the shareholder to agreed-upon benefits.
Mission: The mission of the entity is the successful purchase of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and the successful operation of that facility to provide health care services to the surrounding communities.
Business Model: Unlike the current non-profit entity with no concern or relationship with the community, the entity running the facility will be owned and directed by the community. Therefore, everyone will have a stake and a voice in how the facility meets the needs of the community. The community recognizes that there is a segment of society that cannot afford health insurance and does not have the means to pay “full price” for health care services. The current models in place do not work and a new system must be implemented to provide services to those who can and cannot pay, without denying service to those who cannot pay and without an undue financial burden to those who can pay.
Purchase of Shares in
Buy Muhlenberg
Community Campaign to Purchase Muhlenberg
Subject Facility: Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center is a 396-bed acute care facility that provides inpatient and outpatient services in all major medical specialties. Other specialized services include a complete array of cardiac services (including emergency angioplasty), a Bariatric Surgery Center, Vein Center, Lithotripsy Center, Wound Care Center, hemodialysis, home care, hospice and adult medical day care. The Medical Center also shares a collaborative relationship with the Plainfield Health Center, a federally qualified community health center serving the greater Union County area.
Business Reason for Purchase: Solaris Health System, the current non-profit owner-operator of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, has announced its closing. Muhlenberg serves a 250,000 population and is a viable, top-notch health facility.
Given the non-responsiveness of both local and state government officials and Solaris’ inability, manipulation of financials, or lack of desire to keep the 131-old facility open; Buy Muhlenberg will provide the citizens, businesses, churches and other organizations of the surrounding adversely-impacted communities (Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Dunellen, Green Brook, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Westfield, Mountainside) the mechanism to form a community-owned corporation, to raise funds to purchase and manage the hospital, so citizens of these communities will not be denied critical, timely, and readily-available acute care services.
Stakeholders: The entity formed to own and administer the hospital will be owned via “shares” in the entity. Every share in the non-profit will entitle the shareholder to a vote in the running and decision-making of the entity and entitle the shareholder to agreed-upon benefits.
Mission: The mission of the entity is the successful purchase of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and the successful operation of that facility to provide health care services to the surrounding communities.
Business Model: Unlike the current non-profit entity with no concern or relationship with the community, the entity running the facility will be owned and directed by the community. Therefore, everyone will have a stake and a voice in how the facility meets the needs of the community. The community recognizes that there is a segment of society that cannot afford health insurance and does not have the means to pay “full price” for health care services. The current models in place do not work and a new system must be implemented to provide services to those who can and cannot pay, without denying service to those who cannot pay and without an undue financial burden to those who can pay.
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