Memorial Hospital Task Force Defending Against Bias Claims
A special task force charged with reviewing bids on the potential lease of Memorial Health System is defending against claims of bias.
In October, two doctors and one nurse from Memorial were placed on the task force by the Colorado Springs City Council at the request of the public. They were part of the 11-person task force that drafted the request for proposal released earlier this month. Six companies placed a sealed bid on the lease that the task force will review before giving its recommendation to the City Council.
Former City Councilman Sean Paige objected to the move Thursday night at a hearing for public comments. Paige believes the additions lead to an obvious conflict of interest with a group representing Memorial Hospital being one of the bidders. Another bidder is the group that owns Memorial’s direct competitor, Penrose-St. Francis.
“It’s important that this process be perceived as unbiased,” Paige told the task force. He suggested the task force recuse those members employed by Memorial rather than having them removed.
The chairwoman of the group and City Councilwoman Jan Martin said the inclusion of those Memorial employees on the task force and their input on the health care process has been invaluable. She doesn’t believe they are in it for selfish reasons.
“I think we’re a well-balanced group,” said Martin. “I don’t think any one group has a stronger voice than another, and I think we’ve developed a working relationship that will serve this process well.”
The task force also heard concerns about the hospital’s relationship with TRICARE, the health care insurance company that covers the military.
Task force members said they realize how important it is for Memorial Hospital to remain one of the largest TRICARE providers in the United States.
Ultimately, the City Council will choose from the six proposals later this year, and voters will have the final say in 2012.
For more information on the lease option visit the city’s website.
