News-Miner Editorial
Life-saving campaign
Heart center fundraiser looks back to community roots
Published Sunday, March 9, 2008
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Stumble It!Not so long ago, dozens of people moved Outside every year because the health care they needed simply did not exist in the Interior. Though much improved, it’s a problem that still plagues our area.
In the 1960s, the situation was dire. The old St. Joseph’s Hospital (now the Denali State Bank Building) was going to close. The 1967 flood sounded a death knell for the place. Two elections were held to ask locals if they wanted a government-run hospital, and the answer on both occasions was a wise “No, thank you.”
As a result, Fairbanksans came together and did a remarkable thing for a community of this size. A community foundation was formed, $2.5 million was raised in grass-roots fashion, state and federal matching funds came through and the new $8 million Fairbanks Memorial Hospital opened in 1972.
Fairbanksans like Harry (Red) Porter and his wife, Sally, were at the forefront of these efforts. It is fitting that the next development to have a huge impact on Fairbanks health care is to be named for them and is beginning with a community fundraising campaign.
The Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation, the same community organization formed back in the 1960s, still owns our local hospital and still turns profits back into local services and facilities. Now, that organization is in the midst of a new campaign to raise an amount of money similar to what was required back in the 1960s.
The campaign seeks to raise $3 million for the $7 million Harry & Sally Porter Heart Center. This time, though, the community foundation has the other $4 million available in reserves of its own. Fairbanks can give itself a pat on the back for that.
Hospital officials report that roughly 400 Fairbanks-area residents stricken by heart attacks were taken by emergency flight to Anchorage or Seattle last year — at great risk and great expense to the patients and their families. Experience has taught us that time is of the essence when battling a heart attack, which remains by far the number one killer in the United States. Still more locals had to drive south or take commercial flights for less-urgent cardiac care.
The Cardiac Clinic and Cath Lab opened at FMH a year ago and started the ball rolling with a single cardiologist. These limited facilities, which will become part of the new center, are already credited with saving several lives. The client list at the clinic climbed past 1,400 shortly after opening, according to hospital officials.
The sometimes urgent nature of heart disease and its growing prevalence makes cardiac care a pressing need in the Interior, just as in the rest of the country. The direct relationship between local facilities and potential saved lives is easy to grasp.
The presence of the heart center and local experts in the field can also help local awareness of heart disease — and the fact that prevention is possible.
Like the badly-needed hospital back in the 1960s, however, such a specialized facility won’t just spring up no matter how great the local demand. As a community, we need to use our existing foundation to finance construction of the facilities and recruit more cardiologists to Fairbanks to help save more lives.
More information about the planned facility and the Harry and Sally Porter Heart Center fundraising campaign is available online at www.fairbankshospitalfoundation.com or by calling 458-5551.
Community Discussion
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Yaaaa, great, as a disabeled heart patient, I know full well that time is of the essence when treating a heart condition. Fellow Alaskans should support this effort because the heart they save next might be their own.
My grandfather was forced to leave Alaska in the 1960s due to cardiac problems that could not be treated in state. He often spoke of how much he regretted having to go Outside.
His stories of life up here were the magnet that drew me north and I've never had reason to regret it.
This really is something worthy of support.
Swanny
I dont see the words "Banner Health" in this article? Where does that fit in this story?
Arctic_amy, take your daft statements elsewhere. We all know Banner Health is the organization that, in essence, provides support, infrastructure and management ideology for hospital. Our hospital is different from every other Banner Hospital in that it is community owned.
Where do they fit in? Same place as they always have.
ecray,
Not everyone that reads these comments lives in Fairbanks. Many of us DO NOT know what Banner's roll is. I used to live in Fairbanks an long to be there again. I was told a couple of years ago that Banner had bought FMH. If you're correct then I was informed wrong. I don't believe you need to be so short with Arctic_amy. It was a good question if she didn't know.
Ecray, Have you thought about the hundreds of military retirees that cannot get treatement at FMH due to banner healths refusal to accept medicade/medicare?
Banner Health is the for profit management company that capitalizes on the fact the FMH is a community owned hospital. Banner Health makes millions of dollars in profits while FMH enjoys tax exempt status and wages legal battles against doctors who want to open private practices. FMH is one of the largest private landowners is the Borough and doesn't have to pay a dime when property taxes are due.
Our community owned hospital takes care of the community by providing the most expensive health care money can buy. Many common procedures are double the US average leaving the patient to pick up the difference between what the insurance company will pay.
Banner Health says that they take care of the community by helping those who can't afford to pay. The reality is that if you can't pay they will send you to collections and double your bill with additional fees. If they still don't get their money they have the ability as a 'community owned' hospital to receive state and federal money to cover the cost.
The fact that Alaska has the highest health care cost in the nation hurts the economy. Companies look at these numbers very hard when considering the locations to do business.
Fairbanksgas, can you please give proof that FMH charges double what the national average is for common procedures? Unfortunately, without any sort of proof, as in empirical evidence, what you say is just vile rumor and nothing more.
Further, please give me an example of a company that does not send you to collections when your bill has not been paid? My wife was sent to collections not long ago by a private facility in Fairbanks because they didn't correctly update our address, despite being seen and receiving numerous bills since the bill in question, which was a mere $200. You make it sound like FMH is the ONLY provider in town who tries to recoup the costs that are incurred during a stay.
What does it matter what Banner's role is? This article isn't about Banner. It is about us coming together as a community to help raise money to pay for a much needed heart center in Fairbanks. Of course, as always, this is turned around.
Olypopper, what do you mean "Banner Health's refusal to accept Medicare/medicaid? How can this be??? If this is indeed true please someone let me know before I move there in May.
Thanks, Bransgran
ecray sounds like an outside lobbyist, arguing with the locals to demand proof that what they have experienced is true. Back off, man. This is a friendly discussion, not a duel to the death. Sheesh. Some peoples kids.
I remember St. Joseph's. When I was a kid I had to go there once, and they took good care of me. I also remember how later, when FMH and TVC were the only game in town, a lot of people I knew had to leave. And how some didn't but soon regretted it. And how others went to Anchorage then regretted it. So I sure hope healthcare is improved overall. It's hard enough to live there without the hospitals killing people.
bransgran and olypopper - being somewhat familiar with the topic you both can rest assured that FMH undoubtedly accepts medicare and medicaid patients. As for the article, I think the heart center has been a long time coming and I applaud the efforts of all involved, let us all endeavor to contribute to this great cause!!!
I have received excellent care from FMH. I also agree with FairbanksGas 1000%!! Thank you for your insight FbksGas, in this and in other areas as well. By the way, I am covered by fantastic insurance, Thank God, and glad I am not at the mercy of Banner Health's collection dept!!!!
My point was that the so called charity work that the hospital uses as it's main argument against competition is not really charity work. Banner Health has taken local doctors to court because they were offering competing services with the argument that they need to be the sole provider because they offer services to those who can't afford it.
Offering charity in my book does not involve those receiving the charity to be forced into collections. If this is how you define charity than I'm sure than many businesses around town should file a tax-exempt status if they have customers who can't pay.
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