Executive warns of deeper cutbacks

The mayor is concerned that city officials have not been made privy to Forum's plans.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Forum Health leaders continue to warn of dire consequences if the health system's financial picture doesn't immediately improve.
Dr. Keith Ghezzi, interim president and chief executive officer, in the April 3 edition of Forum Flash, a weekly newsletter published by Forum, "guaranteed" that some politicians, civic leaders, union leaders, physicians and Forum employees, "who do not fully understand the need for change," will be unhappy with the board of trustees' final decisions.
However, according to David Regan, president of the Service Employees International Union District 1199, Forum is refusing to share the information with the union and community leaders so they could better understand the situation.
For instance, in the April 10 Forum Flash, Ghezzi said that, despite having identified nearly $26 million in immediate and potential savings through systemic changes, more cost cutting is necessary.
Comprehensive audit
Ghezzi said that an independent accounting firm did a comprehensive audit of Forum's financial records, causing Forum leaders to conclude that the finances are "in worse shape than we originally thought," and that the health system is operating on borrowed funds.
Forum has said it lost $31 million over the past two years and is projecting losses of $40 million this year.
Union's position
Regan said he has not received audit results.
Forum Health is demanding that the 3,500 employees at Forum represented by unions give $25 million in concessions the first year without information to back up the need, Regan said.
"[The board thinks] we are a bunch of chumps, and as long as their rhetoric is strong enough, no one else can figure it out," Regan said.
"We're not defending the status quo. But, ... you don't ask 3,500 families to give up $25 million without full access to information. We feel we are being manipulated," Regan said.
The board wants the community and its employees to trust them. But, this is essentially the same board that let Forum get into its current financial position, he said.
Criticism of mayor
Regan was also critical of Mayor Jay Williams, saying he is a "significant disappointment to us. From our perspective, he has not even expressed concern."
Williams said he takes "umbrage" at the perception that he is not concerned and not doing anything to try to resolve the situation.
Williams said that over the past two or three weeks, he has met with officials of the major unions involved, including the Youngstown General Duty Nurse Association on Monday, and with Forum executives.
Williams said he will not "politicize the issue," adding it is of no benefit to anyone.
At the same time, he said he is very concerned about the health and wellness of the city should Forum downsize or pull out.
And, he is also concerned that city officials and the community have not been made privy to Forum's plans.
"Let's say the numbers are what Forum claims, and I tend to believe they are, we need to know now, not 30 days before they close the doors. Maybe there is something that can be done," Williams said.
Contingency plans
In the meantime, Williams said he has begun conversations with the Youngstown City Health District about developing contingency plans for health care should Forum downsize or close.
"We respect that this [Forum's plan] is a business decision.
But, the question is, what has been going on the past 10 years," the mayor said.
Williams said there is a lot of finger-pointing going on, but that at this point, it is not who is right or wrong, but what will be the end result.
alcorn@vindy.com