Concerns About the Economy 



Dr. Gabbe addresses concerns about the State Budget and how that applies to the medical center.
 
 
 
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Hi! This week we saw even more concerning news about the economy with more layoffs announced in our community and the governor’s summary of his budget proposal release.

I’m sure many of you, like me, are wondering what is next and how this will affect our organization and those who work here. There are many unknowns and that can lead to anxiety.

One of the unknowns is effect of these job losses on health care. We may see fewer admissions and visits as more people lose insurance coverage. Some patients might be more concerned about what their own responsibility for their bill will be. We should be prepared for these questions and offer to help our patients get this information. We have financial counselors ready to respond. Please utilize this service; you can reach the Financial Counseling Department at 293-0860, that’s 293-0860.

The state budget and its impact on us are also unknown. The article in the paper last week was based on the executive summary of the proposal, and we’re waiting to really dig into the details as they are released. The proposal is complex with many layers and won’t be finalized until July. One of the proposals in the budget is to cut state workers salaries by 6%. We’ve been asked if we are considered state workers. We’re not. We’re actually considered a state instrumentality (yes, that was a new word for me too.) This means that although OSU was created by the Ohio General Assembly as a public university, they delegated the governance and management of it to the OSU Board of Trustees.

The proposed state budget is built upon the anticipated passage of the federal stimulus package in Washington. That’s another unknown.

Although the stimulus package passed in the House, we’re not sure what will happen in the Senate. The Senate could suggest a different version. If this happens, the differences will have to be resolved before the bill can be sent to the President for his signature. The stimulus package could help us by increasing available NIH funds, as well as educational grants and construction subsidies.

The good news is that we have more Knowns than Unknowns.

One known is that our leaders, including President Gee, our OSUMC leaders, and our government affairs teams, are having needed conversations with state leaders. We’re working closely with the state’s general assembly and state administration on the state budget. This is where ONE University is really helping us. Being united in our approach is the most effective way to communicate.

We’re also so grateful that the Governor Strickland continues to make higher education a priority and is pushing for federal funds that could help the Medical Center and University as a whole.

Thank you, Governor Strickland!

Another known is that we will always put people first. We’re committed to preserving jobs and benefits. We’re committed to providing the highest quality care in an environment of service and safety for our patients. And we’re committed to continuing to invest in education and research that will improve health care in the future.

We also know that we will be vigilant in monitoring our finances and planning for our future.

Our leadership team is strong and its members are working together to ensure that we can not only weather this financial storm but continue to move forward.

We know we have a workforce that is incredibly committed and smart. Your input and feedback are listened to and we’re making changes based on your ideas. I hear wonderful ideas each week at our roundtable luncheons. Keep your suggestions coming.

Lastly, please know that I will continue to communicate with you regularly about these important issues because they do matter to all of us.

Well, have a great week.

 
Posted by John, Timothy A on 6-Feb-09
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Dennis Ehrie  commented on  Friday, February 06, 2009  4:28 PM 
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I think it always best to deal with knowns then fear unknows. I will used this message in my departments.

Linda  commented on  Friday, February 06, 2009  4:34 PM 
I feel very fortunate to be employed at OSU and found Dr. Gabbe's "Concerns about the Economy" very informative.

Jim Stevenson, LPN  commented on  Friday, February 06, 2009  4:39 PM 
Thank you Dr. Gabbe for the update on the state budget. We are working in the Ross ACC to cut costs etc, while continuing to provide the highest quality patient care. One idea I have had while making sure our supplies our current and not outdated, is to share supplies that will expire with other departments that can use them prior to expiration dates. It would be great to have some kind of centralized data base so that we can continue to do this with medical supplies which are expiring. Some are easy such as lab tubes being sent to phlebotomy labs prior to expiration but imagine the cost savings if we could do this hospital/university wide. Recycling is talked a lot about, but it would take very little to put into place greater recycling efforts especially of plastics and paper which are thrown out daily. We are participating in recycling of bottles and cans as well as batteries through environmental services. I would be happy to serve on any committees to address these issues to come up with working/cost effective plans. I have grant writing and broadcast media in my background if this would be helpful. Good luck with future cost saving measures

Joshua Hash  commented on  Friday, February 06, 2009  4:55 PM 
Thanks Dr. Gabbe for keeping us posted on how the economy influences us here at the University. Your insights and communication with the staff is appreciated tremendously!

Julie Burns, RN Tower 10  commented on  Sunday, February 08, 2009  2:49 PM 
Thank you for taking the time to address this issue. In this economy with many layoffs and impending layoffs, it is reassuring to know where the medical center stands. Thank you, Dr. Gabbe!

Ashok Saraswat  commented on  Monday, February 09, 2009  9:20 AM 
Thank you Dr. Gabbe for using the modern technology to deliver your thoughts to interact with us at the medical center. Great way to communicate!

Jenny  commented on  Monday, February 09, 2009  10:10 AM 
Thank you to Dr. Gabbe for addressing current issues. It’s also nice to hear that he is working closely with President Gee.

Cindy  commented on  Tuesday, February 10, 2009  9:32 AM 
Thank you Dr. Gabbe for addressing the question on so many employee's minds and keeping us informed. It is greatly appreciated!

Jan Ooten  commented on  Monday, February 16, 2009  9:54 AM 
My comment is in response to the posted comment of Jim Stevenson, LPN. You observed that a centralized data base for the sharing of supplies and supply information would be most helpful. That information already exists with in the PeopleSoft program that is used for Materiels Management. There are queries available to allow you to find out what other units with in the system might also use these supplies as well as a complete listing of items kept in the Hospitals Storeroom. For more information you should check out the Materiels Management website on One Source. Additionally we also regularly make charitable donations of supplies that cannot be returned or used in the Medical Center. I hope you find this information helpful as well as encouraging and I want to thank you and your department for the initiative to help prevent waste and loss.

Laura Jackson RN  commented on  Monday, June 08, 2009  12:49 PM 
Concerning the new hang tags for the Bravo program: I would like to suggest instead of the cost of producing new tags each year, the color of the stickers could be changed yearly and a sticker with the current year could be placed on the old card as is done on our ID tags. This would be much cheaper than replacing the plastic cards each year.
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