Rally to combat Kaleida campaign

If you’re as confused about the ongoing consolidation of area hospitals as most people seem to be, make it a point to attend the rally set for 3:15pm on Friday, June 13, at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 702 E. Delavan.

The meeting, organized by a number of churches and ministers, will touch upon some important issues left unsaid in the media reports from local TV, radio, and print outlets. Importantly, that ECMC cares for the most (42 percent) uninsured and underinsured adult patients in Erie County, when you tally all hospitals in Erie County. Often, area hospitals initially see these patients, as required by law, before quickly referring them to ECMC for followup.

Despite providing these essential services—not big moneymakers for hospitals—ECMC, as a public benefit corporation, has managed not only to provide that necessary care but also turn a profit. Why, then, are they painted as obstructionist? What kind of obstructionist offers to spend $125 million of cash on hand to build new facilities and create new jobs on the East Side?

Expect to hear a fresh perspective separate from the heavy-handed, table-pounding proclamations coming from the Western New York Health System, Inc. board (a.k.a. Newco), as they’ve pushed the Kaleida/UB agenda relentlessly and have given short shrift to ECMC at every turn.

Among the faith community hosts: Rev. Michael A Badger, Rev. Dr. James Lewis, Father Frances Mazur, Rev. Dr. William Gillison, Rev. Angel Gauthier, Rev. Dr. James Blackburn, Jr., Rev. Richard A. Stenhouse, Rev. Dr. G. Stanford Bratton, Rev. Kenyatta T. Cobb, Sr., Rev. Jose Robles, Rev. Alberto Lanzot, Rev. Jeffrey Carter, Father Ronald Sajdak, Elder Johnnie Q. Edwards, and Rev. Darius Pridgeon.

—buck quigley