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New NRMC CEO announces pay cuts
Published Friday, March 14, 2008
NATCHEZ — On Thursday, employees of Natchez Regional Medical center learned a new pay cut would soon impact their earnings.
Jim Richardson, NRMC’s interim CEO, announced the cuts saying they were in the best interest of the hospital’s future.
The announcement was made as Richardson met with groups of hospital employees in meetings that lasted nearly an entire day.
“It was the right and prudent thing to do,” he said.
Richardson said the “administrative action” was taken with the best interest of the hospital in mind.
He also said that the hospital’s board of trustees were not involved in the decision to reduce employee pay.
And the newly reduced pay will be noticed on the first check of the upcoming pay cycle, Richardson said.
Richardson also said the pay cuts will remain in place over an indefinite time period.
But what is certain about the new cuts is how much they will save the hospital.
Richardson said the 5 percent cut is projected to save the hospital $72,000 a month. The 5 percent cut will allow the hospital to break even each month.
And given the hospital’s lack of cash, the pay cuts are badly needed Richardson said.
Richardson acknowledged that a reduction of pay would be burdensome but said the wage reduction was better than the alternatives.
Layoffs, reduction in the amount of time employees would be allowed to work and closure of departments were given by Richardson as alternatives.
Richardson also took a portion of Thursday’s meeting time to discuss the hospital’s seemingly impending road to bankruptcy.
Richardson told employees there was a high probability the legislature would approve the hospital’s bankruptcy proposition.
As Richardson was prepping employees for the future, board attorney Walter Brown was in Jackson making a bankruptcy plea for the hospital.
For the hospital to enter chapter 9 bankruptcy they must first receive permission from Legislature then Gov. Haley Barbour.
On Wednesday Brown started the first step in that process by going to the capitol to explain the county’s situation to Sens. Bob Dearing and Kelvin Butler.
Brown said both men were very supportive of NRMC’s needs.
Brown said the bill, allowing the bankruptcy, successfully left committee and is now headed for the senate floor.
While the board of trustees has not officially taken action to begin the bankruptcy, Brown said he feels the board is likely to act in favor of bankruptcy.
Comments
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is going to be a VERY HOT one today!!!
Did the new CEO take a cut?
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, that really looks good for Natchez, to be in jackson asking the govener to let us have bankruptcy. We really have it going on don't we!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...Did ALL employees have to take a pay cut??? Look out community you will be overflooded with apps now...
So what we have is a pay cut and bankruptcy????
Posted by dangyankee (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, that's a shot in the arm for employee morale, isn't it? While I suppose it is better than losing one's job altogether, a 5% pay cut would definitely make me start looking for greener pastures. Of course, there are no greener pastures within 100 miles, so . . . .
How much IS 5% to an average employee, I wonder? On $1000 (I like round numbers), it would be $50, right? About 16 gallons of gas, 12 gallons of milk, 1 meal for 2 at Berry's, 10 Big Mac combos at McDonald's, not quite 5 22-pound bags of Special Kitty gourmet cat food, 6 single-malt scotches at the Under-the-Hill Saloon, maybe 20 beers at same, 10 car washes, almost 2 oil changes . . . Only 5%, I know. But still a hardship for some, an annoyance for others, a slap in the face for most, and, I suppose, a "so what?" for a privileged few.
Still, better than no job at all, right? Even a job in which you must live in fear every day, fear of when the axe will fall again--knowing that it will.
I am now absolutely certain that NRMC is going to go down. Thank God I am not a soon-to-be former NRMC employee looking for a job in a no-job town. And thank God, I enjoy good health, for now.
And to all y'all at Community, and, for that matter, everywhere else in the community, remember John Donne? "Ask not for whom the bell tolls," etc.? Yeah, it tolls for thee, too.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too little, to late, if you ask me!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just think dangyankee that is every 2 weeks...
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I still think that would be a great place for a v.a. hospital....
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:23 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't that how it always is scarlettohara....
Posted by dangyankee (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly, fire39212--every 2 weeks, regular as a clock or tax increases.
If it is any comfort, that new CEO likely will be in the same position, sometime very soon.
I really need to get out of this place (but I like the climate, and where I live, and I have a zoo that would be a b-word to move . . .).
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess so, fire.
I just was GALLED at some of the salaries I heard about--and not just exaggerated gossip--from some of the folks at Regional.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very Good question aesa? I was wondering the same thing before I even finished reading the article. Is the CEO taking a paycut? Also, I just know the paycuts will hurt the orderlies, cafeteria staff and cleaning crew, the people who are the last to need a paycut. Everyone here is making solid points on this very trying time for the employees at NRMC. You all are in my prayers!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand scarlettohara and dangyahkee...It burns me up just as much as people who work the system!!!!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Teach they will then wondewhy they can't get anyone to work....Still think it should be a V.A.... That way everyone would keep there jobs with no worries......
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, Teach. However, I would not want to be in the new CEO's shoes. Believe me, I'm not defending him....I just don't imagine he'll be around for the long haul. As a previous article stated, he's kinda like the "clean-up" guy. He is here for one, and one reason only ---to do as much damage control as possible.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire, I am intrigued by the VA hospital idea, but I guess I'm a little ignorant. Is this a possibility for Regional? Is this a transition that would be an alternative?
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know scarlettohara .....If they close i do not see why not....Or even thought they were going to close don't know why they couldn't sell it...But, Who am i to say...I just think they need a v.a. here......
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone heard of problems with the ownership ot the Community Hospital? This would really be a "stickler" with both of the medical facilities havings management problems!
Posted by hitormiss (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 1:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would hate to be the CEO and I would hate to be an employee. One can only imagine the stress everyone is suffering. Rural hospitals have suffered for years and closings are taking place all over the country. It is a national crisis that has hit to close to home. My prayers are with everyone involved.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What did teach say to get deleted?????
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 5:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the ceo and the doctors didnt get a pay cut...they should have been the first to get the pay cut.its always the little man struggling to raise a family that gets the shaft.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As bad as it is for these people to have to take a paycut, don't forget that each and everyone of us takes a similar paycut each year in the form of inflation which is totally unnecessary. That is how intermodal centers, convention centers, walking trails, etc. get paid for- the expansion of debt.
Were it not for this absurd expansion of debt more people would have more money and be able to pay more of their own bills, lessening the crisis of the week.
For a little pespective, take a look at our future if we allow this financing of things we cannot afford to continue:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cutting pay and filing bankruptcy to eliminate debt....sure makes the hospital more appealing for a "buy-out".
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if the boards are thinking "sale", the next thing that will be done (with regard to staffing) will be layoffs of non essential personnel and various administrative positions. Staff restructuring.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, being elected the CEO at NMRC was like being elected the captain on the Titantic after it already hit the iceberg.....
we are going down captain, what should we do?
Put you head between your legs and kiss you behind goodbye!!!!!
Hate to hear that all those bad decision over the last 20 years have now cost the very people that can afford it the very least.
The hospitals in Jackson are hiring, if you have you CNA, LPN, or RN license.
Posted by phoneman1 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
during the meetings at the hosipital thursday the new ceo said the employees would recieve next weeks pay and after that they did not know how NMRC was going to pay the emloyees.
Posted by monicaeboyd (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:19 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The new pay structure for employees should be guided by performance incentives. If there was a way to rate patient experiences through a survey of some type (from paying patients) NRMC would know who gives quality service, is a good example for other employees and where their dead weight is.
There are some people who work their fannies off and others who bide their sweet time attending to patient needs. It's like pulling their teeth to get them to do anything for you. Maybe that is partly due to an already underlying morale problem in general. But, there's no better way to make people that want to keep and do a good job than to offer them rewards for their good and hard work.
Pay cuts without morale boosts won't improve service. The money saved in this manner will eventually backfire. They will lose their good employees who deserve better and do a great job and keep infuriated, resentful people who have no choice but to stay. I really want somebody like that looking after me.
Posted by topper (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with above there will be some job applications going out the next few weeks. Mine included. Rushing dont you work at Community? There is no menangement problems there I am told by my sister who works there. They get annual raises and always have.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SayitRight, performance based incentives are a magnificent idea! From CEO on down, how the patients rate the care, how employees treat one another, etc.
Let me say, I know playing clean up is NOT easy, and I would not want to be in that position either, but it would be nothing short of fair and economical, for EVERYONE to tighten their belts and take a pay cut.
I didn't say anything to get comments deleted. I posted a link to the ClarionLedger's story on the hospital filing for bankruptcy. I guess NatchezDemocrat.com has a problem with this, or someone here did. Life goes on.
Posted by 1voice (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now hospital people have joined the ranks of the oil industry in the 80's. You do what you have to do to survive.
Posted by fatherof4 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its amazing that you can sell plastic bed pan sets for $300.00 and still lose money!
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully they will eliminate their debt and sell to a non profit. Dont wont hma being the only one here......
Posted by sandyman7 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where can we find out who took the pay cut and who did not????What is the salaries at Regional??? anybody know for sure??
Posted by phoneman1 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they are saying everbody is going to take pay cuts. The pay cuts will save around $72,000, the memo that NRMC sent out to employees said the need to save around $300,000 a month to make payroll and break even!
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One area that needs to be streamlined, overhauled and changed is the admitting office. No matter how many times you enter the facility, the routine they take is long and drawn out. The people work slowly and disappear behind closed doors for minutes on end. The only time I entered Community, it was simple, and quickly handled by friendly staff. Just aggravating. Sorry this was negative, I really like the positive side of things, but this is reality.
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fatherof4 you are so right and to cover 5 I.V arm jabs the bandaids cost you $500.00 and this has been going on before 1980 also the admisson was $500.00 a spit cup and water pitcher which they would not fill, if you didn't bring it from home (pillows and cover) for get it!!!! So Question how HOW!!! did they lose money. The Lower staff always had a cut in pay. Go to the top and collect money from them and you could run the hospital for a long time.
Posted by county123 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was interesting that Chairman of the Board for the hospital was out winning a golf tournament yesterday while all of the bad news was shared with NRMC employees. Front page of today's sports section. I am told that some of the board members were present at the employee meetings to show support, but the chairman was not.
Also, is it appropriate for county employees & supervisors to advertise for a hospital competing with their own "county" hospital? Look at billboards around town.
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Writing on the wall
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.d...
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
county123, It's innapropriate, unethical and a conflict of interest. I have seen those boards as well.
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
But we all know that is not the only conflict of interest out there.
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How did everyone like Senator Hopson's remark. I'm sure he doesnt have to worry about that MI in the midnight hour because HE WONT BE HERE. We need to be contacting his office, giving him a "what for".
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 14, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I read the Senator's remarks:
[“We're not in the business of running these things,” he said. “Either (the hospital) needs to run efficiently or it needs to be shut down. Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the county to make sure that facility is running correctly?]
He is probably close to right. Our elected should take an interest in their appointed boards or let the taxpayer elect the boards.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
File for bankruptcy and impose a pay cut in one week. This should be excellent for business now.
Posted by ntztransplant17 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For phoneman1 - I have talked to several NRMC employees after "the meetings with the CEO" and none of them mentioned that the CEO stated after next weeks pay they did not know how NRMC was going to pay the employees. Did your information come from a reliable source? I'm just wondering if that information was passed on to only the department heads and not the employees. If it was, the employees themselves have every right to that piece of information.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A VA hospital would be much better than closing the hospital, but sometimes you may wonder if the people building across the river are pulling strings over here,so their business would increase. Their is no honor among thieves, which i don,t mean to imply that business men are theives, just outlaws,and deckhands mostly.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody tell me why CEO,s and Lead team members always make HUGE salaries. On the weekend at International Paper Company when all the bosses went home,the mill actually ran better with them gone for a few days...Or really anytime they would go away and let the people who knew what to do could do their jobs without a birddog looking over their shoulder.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The ones at the top always gorge themselves with the fruits of the working man,s labor.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a small satellite VA center in the strip mall on 61 North,but people come from 50 miles or farther to it.
We could use a VA hospital before closing this one,I think it would stay occupied especially since the closed a lot of VA facilities on the coast after Katrina wiped them out.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our elected ain,t doing squat.
Posted by educated1 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In most situations to where there are no administrators around the ship always rides a little smoother. They try so hard to make life as bad for you as it is for them and they get paid more for it. I can truthfully say it is like that in almost every profession/career that I have worked in from warehouse to schoolhouse.
Posted by phoneman1 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to ntztransplant17 it was from my wife at the doctors pavalion
Posted by oldenurse (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, all employees are taking a cut in pay except those paid by Quorum. It is very bad for all especially the PCA's, houskeeping etc. Yes the nurses make better salaries than they do-----but we went to college to be able to save YOUR life. Who do you think is there 24/7 THE DOCTORS???? No the nurses are, not the CEO or CNO or CFO.. Why is Quorom allowed to still be on county property when they are number one reason we are in the shape we are. Why have we bought physician practices, paying their PERS for them----other employees are just little fish in that big old pond!!! Why are we paying to rent office space in doctor's pavillon? Why are we paying physicians a salary even though they do not see many patients, per board at last meeting. Cuts need to made, this I'll agree, but why is it always the little man and not the top dogs that make big money and waste millions in spending? And why does the general public think just because it is a county hospital that they do not have to pay their bills? The good Lord giveth, and Quorom taketh away!!!!
Posted by liveforJesusonly (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this must be a very hard time for administrators, physicians, and employees......Just try to remember that there is a reason (that we don't always know) why these things happen. It may take many to a better place in life! I will keep all of you in my prayers.....
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quorum should take a big CUT too, it's only right and fair!!!
Posted by madpop (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A pay cut is bad news, but at least it wasn't like the tire plant they just stop paying us and the big wigs kept getting there income, maybe it could be an employee owned hospital and leave adams county board out of it.
Posted by ntzslums (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NRMC does not need to be turned into a VA. That is crazy! It would take 2 years to build a hospital large enough to accommodate this area. You folks that keep talking this VA junk need to look at the big, IMMEDIATE picture. You already sit in these ER's till your next birthday--just imagine what it would be like if only one of these hospitals were open!!!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well ntzslums why couldn't a v.a. start off with the hospital that is there then build if needed??? Why not go to the after hour clinic? oesn't take long there.. There is a hospital in vidalia.....
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Opps that was suppose to be Doesn't take long there.
Posted by woodduck (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the VA proponent, news flash! GSO (General Services Administration) is closing VA Hospitals not opening them!! They have as many problems as the rest of the hospital world. Rising costs, increasing patient loads and not enough money to take care of either. Natchez has about as much chance of getting any type of Federally funded hospital here as they would having NASA move the Kennedy Space center to the Natchez Adams airport! Get real. If VA had the money, why would they put a VA in the corner of the state? Adding on to and improving the one in Jackson would be the realistic scenario. Another thing that you are overlooking, the physician staff at VA's are by and large Residents in training. Alexandria Pineville La is staffed by LSU Med school. Jackson VA by UMC. Who would staff a Natchez VA? As of today, neither Co-Lin nor Alcorn had a Medical school/residency program.
I think most everyone at NRMC is unhappy about a 5% Pay cut, but if that's what it takes to keep the hospital open, I believe most of the staff are up to the sacrifice. Realistically, finding a job in Nursing around here is pretty slim. About all that is available are limited Home Health and or Nursing Home jobs. So, you could go out of town. Sure you could. I know Nurses who drive to Vicksburg or Brookhaven to work, generally part time to supplement their incomes. I would bet that if you crunch the numbers, a 5% pay cut would be much more cost effective than a couple of trips to Vicksburg every week what with gas at 3.25 per gallon today.
One of the things that was stated in the CEO -staff meetings(andI was there, so this isn't rumor or innuendo) It is imperative that NRMC remain open. It is and has been the hospital that by it's mission statement is charged with taking care of those who have no choices.
The interim CEO who incidentally, is not a Quorum employee, but an independent consultant with a proven track record of turning around hospitals in trouble, is going to look at every contract, every lease, and this includes Physicians, Health care providers, vendors and suppliers of everything. So I can assure you it won't just be the hospital and physician staff taking a cut, It will encompass everyone who contracts to NRMC as well, as well it should. there are lots of folks operating on contract who are hard working, productive people who are doing everything in their power to make sure the hospital prospers. On the other hand there are others who have gotten fat contracts with a lot up front and no performance incentives who will most certainly be coming under very close scrutiny.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why couldn't they collect on a bill if you come to the hospital have a bill it must be paid before you can make another bill? Unless of course it is life or death....I am talking about the ones who bring there children for a cold etc....Is that even possible?
Posted by justoneopinion (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
monicaeboyd:maybe there was a reason you didn't get your raise? For some reason I don't think your telling both sides of the story. Just because you have the degree and the certifications doesnt mean you do the job or do it well enough to deserve a raise.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have said it till I am blue in the face.
People of Natchez, you are going to see a much smaller service coming from the NMRC when all is said and done. They will keep the profitable services open and have to phase out the unprofitable ones. THIS WILL MEAN THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DRIVE TO JACKSON OR BATON ROUGE FOR SPECIALTY PROCEDURES. Get ready to spend $100 in gas and several hours of your day driving if you have to have a procedure done that is not common.
It is just around the corner. They will not shut it down. They will have to downsize and then lay-offs will come along with pay cuts.
The writing is on the wall. Prepare yourself for it.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The poor employees. Prices are going up & pay is going down . Way to go ! I guess we should expect better health care now ? You know you pay for what you get . I don't wonder anymore about the management &why they have to file bankruptcy. And olenurse you are so right ,without ya'll where would the doctors be ? Without the help of sooooo many other so called little folks working in the hospitals,where would they be ? The Drs. aren't taking a cut & niether will the CEO's . But I promise you they will expect top care if they or any of their family are hospitalized . Our health care has gone down for a reason and we all know this.
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