The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. decided last Aug. 20 to disconnect the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.\u2019s power for six hours a day because of overdue billing. This begs the question, where would that leave the patients who are in the intensive care units, patients who are in need of surgery, or even patients who are getting regular treatments?<\/p>\n
CHCC chief executive officer, Esther Mu\u00f1a, told lawmakers at the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs Committee Budget Hearing last Aug. 25, that there is \u201cno backup for the backup.\u201d Which means that should CUC disconnect CHCC\u2019s power starting Sept. 8, and CHCC will run their backup generator, if the first generator dies out within those six hours that CUC disconnects CHCC\u2019s power, there is no other power source for that generator.<\/p>\n
Mu\u00f1a also stated that she was not aware of CUC\u2019s decision, and she learned through the media that CUC decided to cut the power starting Sept. 8.<\/p>\n
According to Derek Sasamoto, CHCC chief finance operator, COVID-19-related funds could not be used for utilities, but \u201cit\u2019s something to take another look at.\u201d Also, Sasamoto says that the hospital operates on a shortfall every year which is why they have utilities issues, and other issues as well.<\/p>\n
Sasamoto said that when it comes down to budgeting, even six months in advance, and they won\u2019t be able to make it, in terms of payroll, there\u2019s a decision that needs to be made like: do they cut providers, do they cut services, do they not pay medical suppliers, and then pay their utility bill? Sasamoto hopes that since their utility bill is government to government, there will be some form of support.<\/p>\n
According to Sasamoto, CHCC has been, and will continue to subsidize (paying part of the cost) of the community\u2019s health care which is over $20 million every single year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re being subsidized for utility bills because of cash flow issues for 25% of what we subsidize\u2026 I would think that\u2019s a pretty decent trade off, especially we\u2019re talking about life and death,\u201d said Sasamoto.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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