(Birmingham, AL October 22, 2013) – A coalition of community partners is asking the Jefferson County Commission to turn indigent care over to healthcare professionals to help patients caught in the fallout from the end of inpatient and emergency room services at what was Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
After four previous community forums, a consensus has formed around creating a healthcare authority based on a model from Denver. That city and region faced similar challenges to Jefferson County and created a system that delivers quality healthcare to all, regardless of ability to pay.
The fifth community forum is set for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, at the Vestavia Hills Library, 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia, Alabama 35216.
Panelists include:
• Dr. Gregory Ayers, president of the Jefferson County Medical Society, which issued a strongly worded letter in May criticizing the current system at Cooper Green;
• Dr. Mark Wilson, head of the Jefferson County Department of Health; and
• Dr. Jerry “Mickey” Trimm, Associate Professor at UAB’s School of Health Professions, who proposed the Denver healthcare authority as a model in Jefferson County.
The panel also includes County Commissioner George Bowman, who has advocated a healthcare authority before fellow commissioners voted to end hospital related services at Cooper Green on Dec. 31, 2012.
Bowman will present a proposal for the healthcare authority model based on the forums’ findings to the full County Commission. The model would ensure that indigent patients — particularly those who have been underserved as a result of changes at the former Cooper Green Mercy Hospital (now called) Cooper Green Mercy Health Services — receive care equal to or better than previous service.
This community forum is sponsored by the Cochran Firm and hosted by: The Public Health Network Inc., the Over The Mountain Democrats and Birmingham View Magazine in conjunction with: Weld for Birmingham; Urbanham.com; What’s Happening Birmingham; W.N. Walker Public Relations; the Social Concerns Committee of Noble Chapel CME Church; and the Committee to Protect the Homeless.
