North End / Waterfront residents showed up in force at Mayor Walsh’s recent coffee hour in the neighborhood. Between the potential nursing home closing, Lewis Wharf hotel project and Harbor Garage, activists were on the scene at Christopher Columbus Park. See this previous post for more on the issues.
Neighborhood photographer, Michele Morgan, shared her many images from the event. Many folks have been asking for their photos, so enjoy perusing them here in the gallery!
I FIND THE OPEN LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SPAULDING TO BE DISCONCERTING. HE CLAIMS THAT THIS
FACILITY ARE NO LONGER STRUCTURALLY CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT SPAULDING PRIDES
THEMSELVES INTO FUTURE PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS OF THESE COMMUNITIES.
HE ILLUSTRATES THE LACK OF ADA ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS AND THOSE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HVAC
AND ELEVATORS ARE JUST SIMPLY NOT FEASIBLE TO MAINTAIN. THE LACK OF TREATMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE
SPACE WAS ALSO FACTORED INTO THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE NORTH END FACILITY.
MR. STORTO CLAIMS THAT PARTNERS HAD CONSIDERED MANY FACILITY OPTIONS OVER THE YEARS WHICH INCLUDED
RENOVATING THE NORTH END BUILDING BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS JUST NOT A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.
THE SPAULDING NORTH END FACILITY WAS NAMED AMONG THE BEST NURSING HOMES IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 2010
BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. THEY ALSO RECEIVED A 5-STAR RATING FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE
(CMS) AND A 100% DEFICIENCY-FREE SURVEY IN 2011 BY MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (DPH).
THEY BOAST ABOUT THIS ON THEIR WEBSITE. COULD THESE ACCREDITATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN A FACILITY
WHICH PARTNERS CLAIMS TO BE OBSOLETE? HIS OPEN LETTER STATES THAT THE SAFETY AND PRIORITY OF THEIR
PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES ARE PARTNERS HIGHEST PRIORITY. HAS SAFETY NOT BEEN A PRIORITY WHILE THEY
HAVE OPERATED UNDER THESE DETERIORATING CONDITIONS FOR YEARS? WHAT WERE THE MANY FACILITY OPTIONS?
WHO WAS ENGAGED OR PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS & RESOLUTION PROCESS OVER THE YEARS? WHAT OPTIONS
WERE NOT VIABLE? I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE GOAL OF PROVIDER CONSOLIDATION, AND REALIZE THAT THIS IS THE
WAY THAT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION
& AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WHICH IS LOOKING FOR 500 BILLION IN SAVINGS OVER THE NEXT DECADE TO HELP PAY
FOR EXTENDING COVERAGE TO 32 MILLION UNINSURED AMERICANS.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS HAVE TO INCREASE REVENUE TO ABSORB THIS COST OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND
CONSOLIDATING & MONOPOLIZING IS THE RECIPE.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY ARE JUST TOO POWERFUL TO STOP, AND THIS EXPLOITATION OF CONSUMERS IS WHAT
WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO. LET’S FACE IT, THIS IS A BUSINESS THAT EVERY CONSUMER LOATHES, AT NO
TIME IN OUR LIVES DO WE LIKE TO BE AT THE MERCY OF OTHERS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, EVERYONE GETS A TURN..
JUST REMEMBER THAT!!!!! PARTNERS MAY BE A MONOPOLY, BUT SOMEDAY THOSE DECISION MAKERS WILL NEED
THE VERY SAME CARE THAT IS BEING REMOVED FROM OUR COMMUNITY. UNFORTUNATELY, THINGS DO NOT
RESONATE UNTIL THEY HAPPEN TO “Y O U”.
RICHARD MONTEMARANO