Ellzey says Laird Hospital in jeopardy

The recent termination of labor and delivery services at Laird Memorial Hospital has placed the hospital in a hardship situation.

"Loss of a service like that places the hospital in jeopardy," Bob Ellzey, LMH administrator, said. "Our board of directors is looking at options, projections and scenarios regarding the future of the hospital."

Ellzey said Kilgore could lose the hospital because of the severity of the situation however, the board is optimistic about the hospitals future.

"Our situation - as bad as it may be - is not necessarily as bad as the situation at other rural community hospitals," Ellzey said. "Our bad debt is enormous and we are experiencing some serious problems, but we plan to be an on-going operation. There are no plans to close the hospital."

According to Ellzey one avenue of exploration involves a partnership between LMH and Good Shepherd Medical Center.

"Forming an alliance with Good Shepherd would be beneficial to the hospital and citizens here in Kilgore," Ellzey said. "No definitive plans have been made, but there is interest from both sides on working together."

The decision to end labor and delivery services stemmed from Doctors John and Teresa Wood announcing they would be practicing exclusively in Longview after September 9.

According to Ellzey, the hospital does not qualify for much in the way of federal funding. The hospital did however qualify for disproportional share funds tied to the number of Medicaid births at the hospital. With the loss of OB-GYN services that funding will "dry up."

Among other problems jeopardizing the hospital's future are indigent health care and bad debt

"Some rural hospitals qualify for government funded incentives for doctors to locate at a particular hospital," Ellzey said. "Kilgore's geographical proximity to Longview limits grants and funding because our hospital is considered urban and not considered to be located in an under-serviced area."

Recent meetings of Kilgore City Council have included dis- cussion of Medicaid monies available to the hospital.

Council is expected to vote Tuesday to accept a federal disbursement of more than $1 million in Upper Payment Level (UPL) to the hospital to help supplement indigent care provided in the community.

The program matches funds given to the hospital by local governments. In this case City of Kilgore put up $402,000 for the hospital to receive its share of federal funds.

"Upon council approval, the hospital could receive UPL funds within weeks," Ellzey said.