I found the July 4th NewsLanc editorial “Is LGH’s Beeman’s job to expand market dominance?” foreboding. Because Tom Beeman was brought to Lancaster County to head a merger between LGH with either of the two HMA-owned hospitals or with Ephrata Hospital, it appears clear to me that the acquisition of either or both of the HMA hospitals by LGH is unlikely. The probable move would be to acquire Ephrata Hospital and fold this well-respected hospital into the LGH brand.
In regard to Mr. Beeman’s history in Nashville, lead hospital administrators come and go with market changes. The financial hardship of Baptist Hospital could have been due to a number of factors (i.e. market variability). In fact, I would state that LGH would not have hired Mr. Beeman as CEO if the Baptist Hospital financial ruination was purely the work of Mr. Beeman.
Regardless of Mr. Beeman’s administrator history, the gravest concern for Lancaster County is the continuing monopolistic policies of LGH by acquiring Ephrata Hospital. The blurring of an independent hospital with an impeccable reputation — Ephrata Hospital — with the Goliath-like LGH reputation will only hurt the citizens of northern Lancaster County.
The Ephrata population has always held their independent position in healthcare in the highest regard. As an example, Ephrata dismissed the plans for another LGH Health Campus in the Earl section several years ago. Not coincidentally, the Earl Township project is now in the plans because there was a LGH-Ephrata Hospital shared healthcare services deal, organized under now-CEO Tom Beeman.
So the question remains — will the citizens and civic leaders of Ephrata permit the imminent merger — no, make that, takeover — of their hospital by LGH? History may repeat itself with Mr. Beeman acquiring a competing hospital in its market with an uncertain future.
And for those Lancaster County citizens with a keen sense of history, who can forget the LGH acquisition of Columbia Hospital — leading to closing of that hospital and only then re-opening as a glorified LGH outpatient service center. Ephrata, be wary of a neighboring giant with a cold, clammy handshake.
Ephrata and LGH should have to compete on their own. If either fails, too bad.
Competition is good. Doctors should compete too. They should open their own hospitals in Lancaster County too. Hershey should expand in Lancaster County. Competition is good.
HMA should buy more physician practices too. Competition is good. Columbia was a dump, by the way. LGH should have left it die on its own.
This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. There’s no “shared healthcare services deal” between those ECH and LGH. The state won’t allow it.
There’s no “imminent” merger either – it’s two years since they first announced they were planning to merge, or affiliate, partner, marry, hang out, whatever they called it. This is old news.
That deal is dead and ain’t comin back. You want competition? You got it. Best for LGH to keep its money and wait for ECH flame out. Surely that’s what HMA, Reading and Hershey are doing.