Letter to Sarah Bush Lincoln Boards

Note:

I sent this letter to the boards of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (the hospital) and Health System (out lying clinics and other interests). I am not sure where one begins and other ends.

When a single public health care institution  gains control of almost every aspect of the health care of a  community, there is little free market and thus no competitive force to control prices, give variety, and maintain quality. As a private non-profit they
 are able to maintain near absolute control due to their favored tax status and
ability to operate in relative secrecy. 

They also are able to assure that in spite of higher fees the public continues to come to them because over 90% of the doctors work for them and are obligated to and rewarded for sending business to them.
This is a perfect monopoly and assures out of control costs.       Dr. Don

4/29/11

To: Sarah Bush Lincoln Board Members

Re: Competition with Private Sector

Dear Board Members: 

Recently I noticed an ad in the Journal Gazette advertising massage therapy services at Sarah Bush giving a special discount through April.  This is an example of what I feel is an ever increasing trend where the hospital aggressively goes in direct competition with private business.

Because of the hospital system's size, resources, and tax exempt status, private sector massage therapists are placed at a competitive disadvantage.  This causes many to go out of business or struggle to survive. This is true of other private health care businesses as well.

   Sarah Bush (and Carle) employ 98% of the doctors.  These doctors are the gateway to  health care and are expected to funnel their patients into your own hospital system. Since your system seeks to cover every health care service, the private sector is unfairly left out.

This is not good for the community since the free market and private enterprise which helps control costs, improves service, and brings innovation, is eliminated.  Everybody loses.  When you eliminate the tax payers, eventually there will not be enough tax payers to pay the taxes.  

I know you have within your capability to essentially eliminate all private sector competition.  I plead with you to use restraint. Rather than aggressively competing with private business, why not encourage community health regardless of the provider.  Concentrate on the services your hospital system can uniquely provide.

Thank you for taking time to read my letter.

Respectfully yours,

Don Selvidge, DC

Mattoon, Il. 61938

P.S. I am sure as board members you want input from the public.  In this day and age the easiest way for the public to do this is through e-mail.  Would it be possible for each of the board members to have an e-mail address through the hospital so you can be accessed more easily?