Today's letters: Readers comment on hospitals' financial practices, the turnpike extension and the school board
Better plan
I’ve been a registered nurse for over 25 years and have seen many changes to the Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) reimbursement structures.
While a uniform financial approach made complete sense at the height of the pandemic, now, two years in, it's illogical. With the less virulent omicron variant, and effective treatment protocols, it only makes sense reimbursement is tied to better patient outcomes.
The current CMS approach may even encourage hospitals to utilize less effective treatment protocols in order to receive higher reimbursement. Why not allow reimbursement to incentivize us towards even more positive patient outcomes? Doing so would be consistent with all other current CMS reimbursement structures.
A better plan is one where CMS pays greater reimbursements for those who survive COVID, and a lesser reimbursement for the fully-vaccinated patient who dies. Patient complexity may motivate hospitals to utilize only the most effective, science-backed treatments available. Positive patient outcomes and shorter length of stay result in higher reimbursements.
Debra F. Hutchinson, Micanopy
No Build needed
I am writing to express my concern about the Northern Turnpike Extension project.
Almost two years ago I built a very modest home in Marion Oaks to accommodate my retirement. A year ago I fully retired and have enjoyed my new home, working in the yard, enjoying the community, getting familiar with the neighbors and enjoying the natural resources. I must say that Marion Oaks is a gem.
One thing that attracted me to the community was the landscape. This community is very rural and there are thousands of undeveloped acres, which is very appealing to someone who lived in Central Florida for 20 years. The natural setting of Marian Oaks is what drew me to the area.
In addition to the layout of the land and the beautiful forests that surround Marion Oaks, we are fortunate to enjoy bird-watching trails, horse riding and the world-class equestrian center. We also have natural resources like our clean, natural springs, rivers, aquifers and waterbeds, all for the fine residents and neighbors of our communities to enjoy.
If any of the proposed routes are approved, those natural resources will be negatively impacted.
In addition to the natural resources, there will be a huge impact to thousands of families and the property that they own. As you may know, there are many farms that will be impacted by any of these routes. These farms have belonged to families for generations upon generations and are their livelihood. If the Turnpike extension were to be built, those families would lose everything.
As lawmakers read my concerns regarding the Northern Turnpike Extension, I hope they will consider a "no build," as this project will have a huge, negative impact to our natural resources and the livelihood of thousands of families who live in the path of this toll road.
Paul Davis, Ocala
Poster child for elected board
What an embarrassment Don Browning is for the Marion County School Board. With all of his bragging and cluelessness, he has become the poster child for keeping an elected school board.
JoAnne Willits, Ocala
Write to us
Send a letter to the editor (up to 250 words) to osbletters@starbanner.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Guest columns of up to 750 words are also accepted on a limited basis. More information on submitting letters and columns can be found at bit.ly/starbanneropinion.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Feb. 4 letters: Readers comment on hospitals' finances, turnpike
