No need for Certificates of Need
What’s wrong with this picture? Two small northern West Virginia hospitals have been bought — to be closed — in the past few months. Last week, Fairmont Regional Medical Center’s sudden demise precipitated announcement of two new hospital facilities in Marion County: Mon Health’s in Pleasant Valley and WVU’s. Both would be moments off I-79, unlike their namesake institutions, lying nearly adjacent and buried at least 10 minutes deep into Morgantown. God help anyone having a heart attack during game day.
Nothing’s wrong except for the state’s archaic requirement for a “Certificate of Need.” Fairmont residents know we “need” these facilities; we don’t “need” state bureaucracy to tell us so. That is precisely what they are poised to do.
Both these new Marion County facilities are destined for transportation centrality along I-79, unlike their namesake facilities. Why isn’t this a win/win for regional patients and both entities? We can only hope the “Certificate of Need” government arbiters see it that way.
A couple years ago, an out of state health provider wanted to invest multi-millions of dollars in our state to build a hospital in our region. But the state said, “No thanks, we don’t ‘need’ you.” That action was short-sighted, probably politically motivated to reduce competition in the health provider market and a self-abusing, flat-out refusal of an infusion of much-needed money and jobs.
In a capitalist society, market demand prompts private investors to risk their own resources to provide services where they see a need. Why does West Virginia say “no” to that? The people in a competitive environment of providers have plenty of selection, which motivates all providers to put forth their best. West Virginia has the oldest residents in the country — an attractive demographic for many health care providers.
If the governor can legally dispense with that “Certificate of Need” requirement himself, let him do so; if not, let him call a quick virtual emergency session of the Legislature now to send that law/regulation to the scrapheap.
Barbara Grigg
Fairmont
Stores should limit items to prevent hoarding
At this time of crisis in our country and in our state, many grocery stores and shops are reaching out to do everything they can to help us as patrons by limiting the essential items that we need such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizers, etc., and that is very commendable.
But believe it or not, there are a few stores that are not doing this inside their store — only online — and they are not providing a level playing field for all of us by allowing people to go in and hoard these items as soon as the store opens, leaving empty shelves.
I am asking people to put pressure on the establishments where you shop to please limit these essential items purchased inside the store so that there will be enough for all of us. The president has said that we should not hoard these items. There are plenty for all of us, but the stores must limit these products purchased inside the store at this crucial time because not everybody is listening to him. Unfortunately that’s the way some people are.
We are all in this together, and we all need to help each other. If that store is not limiting the sale of these essential items to shoppers in the store, ask them why not. If they refuse to install limits, call their corporate office and voice your opinion. If enough of us call and voice our opinion, we can change this so all of us will have enough of these items.
Also, some stores are allowing special times for senior citizens and special needs people to shop. It would be nice if more of the larger chain stores would do the same. And we really appreciate that initiative and consideration for seniors and special needs. We need to advise the other stores to follow suit.
If we all stick together and remain calm, we will get through this with everybody helping each other.
Karen Edgell
Fairmont
Reader comments on ‘No love for ladies’
I read with interest your editorial “Legislature shows no love for ladies for Women’s Month” (DP-03-12-20). May I add the following:
I heard enough on this Women’s Day. Greetings, songs, dance, etc.
Someone in the hospital made a comment pertaining to women and religion.
That stimulated me to make these comments.
Koran and women: When the Koran speaks about the souls of human beings, it doesn’t differentiate between man and woman.
Bible and women: God is within her. She will not fail.
Buddhism and women: Buddhist savior goddess (Tara) with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. She is the feminine counterpart of Bodhisattva (Buddha to be).
Jainism and women: Jainism is a religion of religious equality, devoted to recognizing the rights of all living creatures, so not surprisingly it accepts that women are able to play their part on the road to liberation.
Hinduism and women: The Devi Sukta hymn of Rigveda, a scripture of Hinduism, declares the feminine energy as the essence of the universe, the one who creates all matter and consciousness, the eternal and infinite, the metaphysical and empirical reality (Brahman), the soul (supreme self) of everything. The woman is celebrated as the most powerful and the empowering force in Hindu Upanishads. There are millions of Hindu deities. Most by far, are goddesses.
In spite of all wonderful views expressed in all these religions, there are also diverse and conflicting views on the position of women.
Let us not worry about this voluminous literature about women that exists.
When will they get equal pay?
VK Raju, M.D.
Morgantown
City taxes, fees and levies help select few
Election time is drawing near. It is time for us all to get out and vote. But we also need to check out our candidates and decide whether or not they have done a good job helping all the citizens in this city and county or just a select few.
Think back over all the taxes the city councilors have voted on. You have the $3 city tax (fee) just to work in the city. You must pay even if you are a nonprofit organization and get a small remittance for your help. Nonprofits shouldn’t have to pay.
Then the city has the gall to want to increase the fire fee by 23%. Along with the fire levy, the citizens who live in the city are double taxed for the fire fee. Then the city wants to do away with 12 much-needed firefighters.
Then the councilors and the city manager have set up more taxes with a 1% sales tax on items sold in the city, effective July 1, 2020.
Then they are asking us to vote on the bus levy, the library levy and BOPARC levy. These levies only help a minority of citizens. Property owners are the only citizens who pay for these levies. Why should I have to pay these taxes when I don’t use the library or BOPARC facilities or the bus? The bus may be needed by those who don’t own a car, but why aren’t the WVU students required to pay to ride the bus?
“Taxation without representation” is what we have in this city. Vote no on all levies. Let’s vote in new councilors and new ideas. Those who don’t want to come up with new ways to collect more taxes and so-called fees. They collect these taxes but without accounting where the monies are spent.
Let’s vote out all of the current councilors from the mayor down and vote in new councilors. But most of all we need to get out and vote! If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain. Your vote counts.
Paul L. Hevner
Morgantown
