Changes coming to structure of University Medical Center
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Changes are coming to the way University Medical Center in Las Vegas is structured. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The future of University Medical Center, specifically how it will be operated, went before the Clark County Commission on Wednesday.
The question is whether to turn UMC into a private hospital as commissioners look for a way to keep the hospital from bleeding red ink.
There was no final vote taken on Wednesday, instead commissioners are going to look at other options to submit a bill up to Carson City in about two weeks at the next County Commission Meeting.
Dozens of hospital employees protested the idea of changing who runs University Medical Center.
Right now, it's the only public hospital in the entire state. The county commission is actively exploring options to change governance by introducing a bill to the Nevada state legislature in the spring.
But there are mixed feelings. Some feel that it doesn't matter who runs the hospital -- it's all about the money. Right now, UMC has funding problems and has been in the red, last year reportedly losing $250 million, largely in part to the burden of indigent care.
Others feel a change in leadership must be made to make UMC more competitive, financially stronger and better performing.
What makes some uncomfortable is the fact that a bill draft could be changed up in Carson City, and that's the heart of the matter and a reason commissioners tabled the discussion.
Wednesday was the last day for commissioners to decide to submit a bill as a county. If they choose to go ahead with a revised draft, they'd have to get it sponsored by a legislator through a committee.
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