Sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center Called "Inevitable"

 

(From WECT) At a meeting at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, New Hanover Regional Medical Center CEO John Gizdic and New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet explained to business leaders and elected officials in attendance they thought the need to eventually sell the hospital was “inevitable.” They said the amount of money it’s going to take to expand the hospital for population growth, and the limited leverage NHRMC has negotiating as an independent hospital are the main reasons they want to explore the possibility of selling.

 

On the other hand, sale of the NHRMC would mean the county loses control over the largest employer in the county, with over 6100 employees. Moreover, the hospital is frequently cited as an important contributor to quality of life in our community. NHRMC is widely recognized for the quality of its services. In 2017, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded NHRMC physicians an overall quality score of 99.30%. As a result, NHRMC physicians earned the highest possible merit-based incentive payment for their high quality, cost effective healthcare. In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked NHRMC as the 11th best hospital in North Carolina. Skeptics question whether NHRMC can maintain their focus as part of a larger hospital system,

 

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners plans to vote at its September 3 meeting on whether to sell the NHRMC to a larger healthcare group. NHRMC is currently owned by New Hanover County and operated by an independent board of directors appointed by the Commissioners. The County will hold public forums on August 19 and 20 to hear comments on the proposal. In addition, the New Hanover Democrats are working on hosting a public forum including hospital representatives and will email details when they are available.

 

Governor Cooper and NC Democrats Raising More than Republicans

 

(From NCDEMS) North Carolina Democrats from the Governor’s race to the Council of State are handily outraising their opponents as 2020 approaches. Cooper raised three times more and has more than five times as much cash on hand than Republican opponent Dan Forest. The NC Democratic Party reported nearly $1 million raised and $800k cash-on-hand, compared to the NC GOP’s anemic $362k and $131k.

 

 

No End in Sight As Statehouse Republicans Continue to Stonewall Budget Compromise

 

(From NCDEMS) North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore told the Daily Reflector that he and his fellow Republicans may hold out until fall in their futile attempt to override Governor Roy Cooper' as veto of a Republican-written budget. It has been nearly a month since Governor Roy Cooper offered his compromise budget as an alternative to the Republican plan that fails to do anything to make healthcare more accessible for working people. Governor Cooper's compromise includes Medicaid expansion, pay raises for North Carolina teachers and state employees and middle class tax cuts. Republicans refuse to hold a vote or engage in good faith negotiations and are instead hoping to strong-arm their way to enough votes to override Governor Cooper's veto. Moore said, “It may take a while, we may be there until October but we’ll eventually get the votes to see it enacted.”

 

While North Carolina Republicans stonewall Medicaid expansion, Virginia announced this week that just over 300,000 Virginians have enrolled in the state’s expanded Medicaid program and 229,000 newly eligible adults received health services such as a doctor visit or filling a prescription. More than half a million North Carolinians could join them if Republicans would allow them to.

Get Out the Vote Phone Bank -- Now through September 10

Where: You pick the place

 

 

Presentation to Wilmington City Council on Air Quality -- August 6

Fundraising Reception in Support of Elaine Marshall, Secretary of State -- August 8 

 

When: Thursday, August 8, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Home of Carol and Todd Atwood, 2009 Montrose Lane, Wilmington 

 

NHCDP Countywide Meeting – August 19

When: Monday, August 19, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: NHCDP Headquarters, 5041 New Centre Drive, Wilmington

The party meets the third Monday of each month. This meeting will feature special guest, District Attorney Ben David.

Forum on Possible Sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center #1 -- August 19

 

When: Monday, August 19, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington

 

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will seek input ahead of a September 3 meeting where the commission will discuss selling the county-owned medical center.

 

Forum on Possible Sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center #2 -- August 20

 

When: Tuesday, August 20, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Where: Senior Resource Center, 2222 South College Road, Wilmington

 

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will seek input ahead of a September 3 meeting where the commission will discuss selling the county-owned medical center.

 

Third Annual SOBAD Golf Tournament -- August 25 

 

When: Sunday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Sandpiper Bay Country Club,  in Sunset Beach, NC.

 

Brunswick Democrats are hosting a Golf Tournament, and you are invited! Captain's Choice (Scramble) with three flights, men's, women's and mixed. The $75 entry fee includes lunch. Statewide candidates are expected to attend. Registration deadline is August 16. Contact Dwight Willis at [email protected] or 910-540-2614. 

 

Taco Monday Event for Leslie Cohen -- August 26

 

Get Out the Vote Canvassing for Dan McCready -- September 7 through 10

 

Where: Elizabethtown office (1 hour from Wilmington) 

 

This is your last chance to flip a Congressional seat in 2019! Dan is running for the District 9 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a September 10th special election. His campaign hopes to schedule 100 volunteer shifts to canvass in the days before the election. Contact Jim Fleagle at  [email protected] if you wish to participate with other New Hanover County volunteers. Or, sign up directly for canvassing at  https://www.mobilize.us/mccreadyforcongress/event/107644/

 

2019 NHCDP Unity Banquet (Almost Sold Out!) -- September 21

 

When: Saturday, September 21, 6 to 9 pm

Where: Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt Street, Wilmington 

 

When the Unity Banquet ticket sales are closed, the links below will invite you to join a wait list.

 

To buy an Early Bird Ticket to the Unity Banquet for $75, click here.

 

To Sponsor the Unity Banquet and meet Chief Justice Beasley at a VIP Reception, click here.

 

Last Call For Nominations for 2019 Unity Banquet Awards: Awards will be presented recognize the precinct of the year and two individuals who made outstanding contributions to the community over the last year. Please email nominations to [email protected].  For specific criteria for the awards, click here.

 

Silent Auction Items Needed: Organizers of the silent auction are seeking donations of auction items. Please note that these contributions are not tax deductible for the contributor. All items must be submitted by August 31^st, and should be accompanied by an in-kind donation form, downloadable here. Please direct inquiries to Mary Melia at (973) 223-4976, or at [email protected].