Misinformation, speculation fuel anxiety at Forum Health

Misinformation, speculationfuel anxiety at Forum Health
EDITOR:
As an employee at Forum Health, I can tell you that the past few months have been an emotional roller coaster. The anxiety has been fueled not so much by the information received at work, but the misinformation and speculation portrayed as fact in the media. In an effort to post the headline or increase the market share, the media are negatively affecting the jobs of thousands of citizens, the Forum Health employees and their families.
Forum is still providing the quality health care the area has come to respect over the years. There have been no cuts that affect the care or treatment of our patients. Yet, as a result of misinformation, the perception is that the quality of care is suffering, and patients have opted out of coming to Forum Health and its affiliates. The one thing Forum does not need right now is for its census to drop. Forum's skilled nursing and specialty care plan on continuing to be an integral part of this community's health care framework.
Another unfair media representation is the comparison of Forum Health to St. Elizabeth. We have been a local, non-profit health care system and a vital part of this community for over 100 years. St. Elizabeth's is part of the largest non-profit health care system in the state and the seventh largest in the nation. Forum is not subsidized with an influx of funds to counter the effects of our local economy and large base of underinsured. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements are based on the region's wage scale. St. Elizabeth's large affiliation enables it to counter the negative effects of our region's economy.
There is no single reason for the financial problems at Forum Health right now. Yes, there were managerial mistakes. But, those were just a fraction of the problem and have been remedied. Dr. Ghezzi and the Wellspring team are going to have a positive effect on Forum Health's future and, as a result, the future of quality health care in the Mahoning Valley. The local media could better serve the community by stating facts and documenting the positive progress made to ensure that Forum Health continues to deliver the quality health care needed in the community.
Most of the Forum employees I have spoken with believe in the strategies and commitment of the people orchestrating the turnaround. We like our jobs and have deep roots in the community. Please, quit undermining our financial future by stating misrepresentations and innuendoes.
ANN M. DiTULLIO
Youngstown
Look beyond Harry Potterto discover real 'black magic'
EDITOR:
Like a dog barking at shadows, a letter writer in Sunday's Vindicator goes on and on about Harry Potter and "black magic." The sad thing is that he believes that makes him more Christian than the rest of us. The even sadder thing is that there is indeed black magic going on all around us, such as stealing an election -- twice -- under the very noses of 200 million voters. That was black magic. Distorting the facts and creating a state of hysteria to drive this country into war was an example of black magic. CIA assassinations and coups to remove foreign leaders such as Aristide in Haiti and Chavez in Venezuela are also pure black magic. Developing and threatening to use nuclear weapons is also black magic. "Christians" who support the nightmare of Zionism that has been wreaking havoc and chaos throughout the Middle East for over 50 years also is black magic.
Black magic is when you try to use the forces of nature, including the incredibly powerful forces of human nature, for destructive and selfish purposes. The hocus-pocus black magic that the writer talks about is nothing but pure fantasy. That is not black magic. It may be fun for millions of kids to imagine, but it is irrelevant. Black magic is not fantasy; it is very, very real. It causes war and destruction all over the world. It subjects millions of people to degradation and misery. It makes them work like slaves in order to try to earn enough for their families to merely survive, while the black magicians enjoy all the luxuries and vanities that the world can produce. Jesus Christ did not come to earth to do battle with Harry Potter. Nor did he come to speed us to our own destruction by ignoring the real threats to our survival as a species -- global warming, the destruction of nature, developing more and more powerful weapons, greed and complacency. If millions of "Christians" spend all their time attacking Harry Potter, or gays, who then will defend us from the real black magicians? Who will speak truth to power? Wake up and smell the black magic before it is too late.
ROGER LAFONTAINE
Youngstown
Illegal immigrants may turnU.S. into Third World nation
EDITOR:
Mexico has many multi-millionaires but many more poor because of the way its society is structured. President Vicente Fox is upset with the states that are starting to enact or simply enforce the laws against illegal immigrants.
He can't reform his own corrupt government that is controlled by the wealthy. So he is trying to push the problem of poverty off on us. Have you ever wondered why there are no demonstrations in Mexico about its government? If there were, protesters would be beaten, jailed, lose their jobs, and maybe killed (as in Venezuela).
Illegals, go home! If we allow them to stay, we will end up like China or India with even more people than jobs. We'll become another Mexico. We are on the brink of becoming a Third World economy.
I have a great respect for the many hard working legal immigrants; my parents, grandparents and in-laws were immigrants. The message of this letter is simple economics.
GEORGE R. HOLKO SR.
Warren
True Christians will boycottrepulsive 'DaVinci Code'
EDITOR:
"The DaVinci Code" aberration will be at our theaters soon, and I am sure that sadly many will be lining up to view it. This movie gives a non-factual theory of Jesus that grossly deviates from the truth that is in the Bible. Whether you believe it or not, the reality remains that the same God who breathed into the dust and formed man is the same God who breathed his holy word into scripture. It has lasted thousands of years and will continue to until the day of Christ's return, despite man's efforts to twist and distort it.
It is repulsive to watch as Hollywood and the literary world take deceptive license with the life of Jesus whom believers revere as the savior of the world. It's amazing that a single irreverent cartoon of Allah precipitated battles and killings, and yet Christians are expected to understand the rights of freedom of speech as the Judas Gospel and the "DaVinci Code" spread deception and doubt about Jesus Christ the son of God who gave his life for us.
It is appalling that nothing is sacred when it comes to entertainment, but we can let our voices be heard by boycotting "The DaVinci Code" movie and books.
There is enough evil in the world. Our only hope is keeping sacred the things of God.
MARIANNE B. LORDI
Youngstown
Hitmen as sports team nameperpetuates unseemly image
EDITOR:
As civic leaders preach endlessly about revitalizing the Mahoning Valley and shedding the image of a crime ridden area, it was disturbing to hear a spokesperson for a potential sports team announce team owners felt the residents of the area would accept the name "The Hitmen" for the team.
It was even much more disturbing to realize the spokesperson was very likely correct!
ROBERT J. HUSTED
New Springfield