Stop sale of Prince William Hospital
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John R. Pauswinski
Published: March 21, 2008
This is in response to a letter by Michael J. Schwartz, president of Prince William Health Systems, concerning merging our hospital with Inova Health Systems.
I disagree with many statements made by Mr.Schwartz.
He is not a physician. Mr. Schwartz is a LAWYER.
He operates PWHS in a shroud of secrecy with little input from the medical staff or the community. The PWHS Board of Directors consists of local businessmen who are volunteers and usually simply follow Mr. Schwartz’s recommendations.
Prince William Hospital is a community hospital. It was started in 1964 by local residents and the Manassas Rotary Club. The previous sale was stopped by a public outcry lead by Manassas Vice Mayor Jim Payne.
Inova is the fastest growing corporation in Northern Virginia. Prince William is the next logical target.
When Inova acquired Commomwealth Hospital in Fairfax, they converted it into a nursing home.
Mr. Schwartz announced one year ago that the merger was a done deal. I have seen nothing to show how this will benefit the Manassas community.
Mr. Schwartz says PWH is not fiscally viable, but now he wants to start a new hospital in Gainesville.
Is this proposed sale really good for our community or just a way to advance his career?
In a letter to the Editor, Dr. James White, a much admired and respected surgeon, raises questions which Mr. Schwartz fails to address.
Why are there no public hearings to demonstrate how this merger would benefit our community? Please get involved.
A compelling case must be made before this sale should even be considered.
The Federal Trade Commission is looking into this issue.
You can contact the press office of the FTC at 1-202-326-2180.
Please get involved before we lose our hospital.
JOHN R. PAUSWINSKI
Former member of the Physicians Executive Committee of Prince William Hospital
Former secretary treasurer of Prince William Hospital medical staff
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Posted by ( seb21 ) on March 22, 2008 at 11:22 am
This sale should have occurred a long time ago. PWH has been plagued with malpractice lawsuits on behalf of drunken surgeons, inept staff and the like. Inova is a respectable, clean facility, and will transform PWH into a hospital that I would feel comfortable attending. I absolutely refuse to be a patient as it is now. They lack funding and the proper resources to accurately and effectively treat their current patients. If anything, this process should be expedited for the good of our community. Do not stand in the way of progress that we sorely need when you have no reasonable or factual objections to this takeover.
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