The
Burlington County Freeholders are putting the future of Buttonwood
Hospital at risk by considering privatization and sale of the facility
to a for-profit outsider. For over 100 years, Buttonwood has been a
public facility offering the highest quality nursing and health care for
County residents and their families—regardless of their income level. If
the Freeholders go through with a privatization scheme, they will
jeopardize the high-quality, affordable health care provided by this
cherished institution.
Why is Buttonwood for sale?
A
County consultant says that Buttonwood will run a $4 million deficit in
2012 and some County politicians are looking to cut costs - including
health care for seniors. But the reality is that $4 million equates to
$23.52 per household per year in Burlington County --- isn't maintaining
a high-qualilty, community owned and operated hospital worth $23.52 a
year? We think so!
If
the County wants to make Buttonwood more profitable, there are
alternative ways to improve other than selling the property. Increasing
the marketability of Buttonwood, which is a premier facility in the
area, and leasing vacant space in the complex are just two options. The
County consultant only reported on how to lease or sell the hospital but
never explored or detailed other options to run the hospital more
effectively and to turn a proft.
Here is the bottom line:
Buttonwood Hospital has served thousands of Burlington County residents
and families for many years. It is clean, safe, and cost-effective.
Selling Buttonwood to a for-profit corporation whose
primary focus will be profits instead of Burlington residents is a bad
deal for Burlington families, taxpayers, and Buttonwood residents.
