Marin Healthcare District Expands Communications as Transition to Ownership of Marin General Hospital Draws Near

Business Wire, March 13, 2009

GREENBRAE, Calif. -- Marin Healthcare District is embarking on a new communications outreach program to inform the community about progress and developments in the transfer of Marin General Hospital management and operations from Sutter Health back to the public hospital district. Currently, the final transfer of management is set to take place on June 30, 2010.

“Marin General Hospital is a prime community asset, and area residents need to know about its future as a freestanding community hospital, planned seismic upgrade and improvements, and how it will continue to attract top physicians and staff,” said District CEO Lee Domanico. “We have heard the calls for information and transparency about how we plan to operate without Sutter, and we are committed to sharing that information with the community effectively and in a timely manner. In addition to the general public, hospital professionals and employees must be reassured about their workplace, and it is important that the business community and our financial partners remain confident that we are moving ahead with this initiative.

“Although our District Board meetings are open to the public, where a good deal of dialogue takes place, our planning and process to accomplish our goals for the hospital are not widely known. We want to assure that developments are not subject to rumor and speculation. Communicating that we will ensure the continuity of Marin General as a premier quality, stand-alone healthcare delivery system, publicly financed and community governed, is one of our greatest responsibilities.”

Outreach to stakeholders and community members will occur in “Letters to the Community,” which will appear periodically in community newspapers and in mailings, news releases, presentations to community groups, and website postings. Fineman PR of San Francisco, a professional communications and public relations consulting firm with successful healthcare district experience, has been engaged to advise and assist with the District’s efforts.

The District is scheduled to re-assume responsibility for Marin General Hospital June 30, 2010 after 15 years of operation by the Sutter Health System. Planning for the transfer began in 2006 after a battle between the District and Sutter over who should pay for Marin General’s state-mandated seismic upgrade. The dispute was resolved when a court-supervised Settlement and Transfer Agreement was signed in October of that year. Marin Healthcare has already made significant progress, securing $20 million in transition financing; filing state-required seismic upgrade plans; contracting with one of the nation’s largest IT services companies for the Hospital’s completely new, fully integrated computer system; and establishing a financial consultant partnership with one of the largest nationally recognized healthcare financial advisory firms.

“All signs point to success and to the development of a community jewel here,” said Domanico. “Marin General Hospital’s financial results are strong, producing substantial excess cash flow after covering all operation and capital expenses. The Hospital is known for providing excellent quality when it comes to patient care. We are planning for that performance to continue, and we are committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way. Our community understands the great investment and equity it has in this institution.”