The Ides of March are upon us, and winter is trying to make a comeback!  Dreary skies, cooler temperatures and a brisk wind blew everyone in the door for today's meeting.

 

 

For the second week in a row, we had Jim Robinson at the head table.  He welcomed our regular guest, Bill Boone.

 

 

Mike McGreevy was mentally somewhere else when called upon for the prayer, and made a real mess of things!  Not to worry - he was properly chastised by the Sgt. at Arms!

 

 

Substitute Lottery Master Dick Brandt took over today and handed over the small pot of $14 to the Table consortium of Kienzle, Cardaras, Junge, James, Krumlauf, Kuhn, Fisher and George.  When Damon failed to pull the Queen of Spades, the BIG POT of $156 was safely tucked away until next week.

 

 

Larry Kienzle took to the floor and immediately confiscated the $14 small pot from the table consortium -- what would we have done with $1.75 each?  Dick Brandt was hit for a buck for an unknown slight to Kienzle, and McGreevy paid for messing up the prayer.  Jim Robinson voluntarily fined himself for "dimwittedness" when he totally missed the point of a certain comment and Junge was tapped for asking too many questions when the Sgt. started mumbling.  Late fines were levied against Andy McGhee and John Smith.  Big fine of the day was a $1 from everyone who did not have their Pancake tickets with them!  You can't sell them if you don't keep them with you!

 

Happy Bucks started with Steve Stirn.  Monday was the first day for students in the new Central Elementary School.  The old East and West Elementarys will have their contents auctioned off soon!  Marsha James donated a dollar in honor of the completion of the 3rd Habitate for Humanity home.  This one is located in Lake Moor Village on the south side of Lake Logan.  John Smith paid a dollar to announce a Bobcat Caravan to be held at the Brass Ring on April 22nd.  This is a promo event for OU - more info to come.  Jim Robinson kicked in another dollar in honor of the Bobcats and Buckeyes both making the NCAA tournament.

 

 

NEXT WEEK!  SPECIAL LOCATION!!

We are meeting next Monday, March 22 at the new Hocking County Developmental Disabilities location at the old Green Elementary School.  A box lunch will be provided.  Ben Hollinger can't wait to show off their renovations and how the new location will benefit their programs.

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND - FAMILY FISHING DAY!

Damon is on track with preparations for the 3rd annual Family Fishing Day at Rose Lake in Hocking Hills State Park.  Volunteers are needed from 10am to 2pm.  He can also still use some donations of individually wrapped snack items and small toys for prizes.  This is definitely one of the most fun events we do -- Hope to see you all there!

 

SELL THOSE PANCAKE TICKETS!!!

 

 

Our program today was presented by LeeAnn Helber from Hocking Valley Community Hospital.  She had intended for the presentation to be made by Lew Newberry, the new CFO, but he was called away due to a death in the family.  Lee Ann's presentation was an overview of the annual "Community Benefits" report that is required by the Ohio Hospital Association.

 

It was an interesting and eye-opening report about the free and reduced price services provided by Hocking Valley Community Hospital to our community.  As Lee Ann stated, the OHA lobbies and strives to gain funding for hospital throughout the State and it is critical that they have a complete picture of how HVCH impacts the market they serve.

 

To qualify as a community benefit activity it must either improve access to care, enhance public health, advance knowledge or relieve government burden.  The categories specific to HVCH are Charity care/Bad debt, Losses on Medicare/Medicaid, Subsidized Health Services and community health improvement

 

For 2008 (the year covered in this report), HVCH had a total of $2,322.447 is Charity/Bad debt write offs!  In addition, there was $1,541,992 in unreimbursed costs from Medicare and Medicaid.  Add to those the subsidized costs for programs that are in need in the community but don't pay for themselves (Obstetrics, Skilled Nursing, Behavioral Health and Recruiting) - $1,855.335.

 

All that together brought the total for HVCH 2008 Community Benefit to $6,329,655!!

 

It shows very clearly that our hospital is working hard to keep the community healthy, and doing a fine job of budgeting and cost control if they can cover a benefit cost like that.

 

Great work, Lee Ann, to you and all your staff!  And thanks for a stellar program!