May 15, 2012

More than 200 attend county commissioners’ 2nd information session

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Special to UnionvilleTimes.com

About 230 local residents turned out for a meeting Monday night about the future of the Pocopson Home, with most supporting continued Chester County operation of the 275-bed facility.

DOWNINGTOWN — The venue was larger and the crowd a bit smaller, but the message to the Chester County commissioners remained virtually the same: Don’t privatize the Pocopson Home.

The input occurred during the second in a series of public meetings to discuss the findings of a strategic plan for the county-owned Pocopson Home, a 275-bed long-term, health-care facility. About 230 people attended the forum, which was held in the auditorium of Downingtown High School East.

But unlike the May 2 meeting, the sentiments to keep the facility county-owned and operated were not unanimous. Although more than 20 speakers urged the commissioners to find ways to fund the ballooning costs, a couple of residents suggested the county would be better served to sell the facility.

The commissioners have explained that declining state and federal reimbursements and skyrocketing operating costs prompted them several months ago to contract Premier Healthcare Resources, a King of Prussia firm, to prepare a strategic plan and financial analysis. The results of that study were released at the first meeting, prompting an hour of heartfelt testimony about the Pocopson Home’s incomparable quality of care from the crowd of approximately 250.

At last night’s meeting, speakers were encouraged not to repeat the impassioned testimonials that echoed throughout the first meeting, but some could not contain themselves. Diane Graham, who spoke with difficulty, drew the loudest applause after she lovingly described her home of 21 years.

Helen Weber of East Goshen elicited some gasps when she opined that she didn’t believe taxpayers should foot the bill. “I don’t know why the county should be in this business,” she said.

As before, the commissioners stressed that no decision on the home’s fate has been made, no residents would be displaced no matter what the outcome, and at least one more hearing will be scheduled to review the options.

“We can’t make a decision without taking the temperature of Chester County,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell, explaining the need for the meetings, which will be publicized on the county’s web site.

“We’re still evaluating everything,” said Commissioner Ryan Costello. “I am not interested in being a part of anything that would involve any one of you moving out of your home …We are all sensitive to the quality-of-care issues.”

Costello said that because the Pocopson Home requires subsidies, the commissioners “owe it to you as taxpayers” to evaluate the facility. “We don’t have to be in this business,” he said.. “This is just us doing our best to be transparent and accountable.”

Without making a recommendation, the report focused on three changes that would enable the county to save money on the facility: converting it to a nonprofit 501c3, leasing it to a private operator, or selling it. The springboard for last night’s discussion was an hourlong presentation by Joann Jones, Premier Healthcare’s president, which featured projections on future operating losses at the home, ranging from a possible $1.4 million in 2012 to $3.1 million in 2016. She also identified two possible income-producing additions to the home – dialysis treatment and short-term rehabilitation.

Some of the numbers raised questions.

For example, Costello wanted to know why the consultants predicted a 1 percent increase for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements in 2013. After learning that the projection was based on historical patterns, he paused. “If it rains for a while, it has to get sunny?” he asked.

Patricia Barry, a nurse from West Brandywine Township, wanted more information on what she viewed as the disproportionately high “indirect costs” assigned to Pocopson, such as allocations for the county’s human resources and accounting services. Cozzone said the commissioners would research the formula used. Costello said “a good portion” of the financial losses stemming from those costs – about $1.4 million – would continue even if the county sold the facility.

Despite the red ink, many speakers said they believed the county should continue to fund the facility. And, like the first meeting, several had suggestions, which ran the gamut from raising taxes to saving energy.

Donald G. Kane, a West Vincent Township resident and retired Air Force colonel, wondered if the county could partner with the Veterans’ Administration to enhance revenue through some services. He also urged the commissioners to explore environmental options such as geo-wells – and government grants to fund them. “People like Andy Dinniman can go get you some money,” he said.

In her brief summation at the end of the meeting, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone joined her colleagues in thanking the audience for its participation. “I encourage you to continue to come to meetings,” she said. “I certainly understand the value of Pocopson Home in our community.”

Those who are unable to attend the meetings, which are being videotaped, can view them on the county web site, said county spokeswoman Rebecca Brain.

The Pocopson Home, which is located on Route 52 in Pocopson Township, offers care for adults of all ages as well as professional medical, nursing and rehabilitation services. It is certified by both the Medicare and Medicaid programs and also accepts private-paying residents for admission.

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone on May 2, 2012, at the demolition site in South Coatesville. County funds helped pay for the demolition of several buildings, so this area can now be rebuilt and added to the tax roles.

Gov. Corbett’s gift resembles a Trojan horse

For many years, the county commissioners have been asking the state for more flexibility in spending state dollars. Counties’ needs vary from one county to another and the commissioners need the authority to direct limited funds to the areas with the most need. Too often we are left with unnecessarily difficult choices when demand for certain services rise beyond projections. Without any flexibility, we can’t shift funds from areas with less demand.

This year, Gov. Tom Corbett has included this new flexibility in his budget proposal – with a catch. He would roll seven different funding streams from the state into one Human Services Development block grant. The problem is that this new block grant would represent a 20 percent cut in the total of those seven line items from the previous budget!

What at first seems like a gracious gift from the governor turns out to resemble the Trojan horse. In Chester County, this gift is estimated to result in a $5 million cut to critical human services, some of which have been cut each year for nearly a decade.

The programs in question cannot absorb these cuts. These programs provide help for people with mental health diagnoses and intellectual disabilities and the families that care for them. They pay for drug and alcohol addiction treatments that keep people out of prison. They provide funding to help the homeless and protect children.

How can we allow a 20 percent cut to funds that help us keep people off the streets and help families who care for intellectually disabled loved ones to keep them out of institutions?

In addition to the block grant, the governor also proposes cuts to reimbursements for seniors in nursing homes and the Medical Assistance Transportation program. It is difficult to fathom how the county will deal with all of these funding cuts if the Legislature does not intervene. My fear is that the Legislature will restore part of the funding but still leave us scrambling to make up for a loss of funds for important programs yet again.

My hope is that we do not see a repeat of last year, where the governor and Legislature touted their ability to avoid state income or sales tax increases, while they cut funding for local schools and county programs, forcing many counties and school districts to raise property taxes instead. Chester County avoided raising taxes last year, but we may not have the ability to do it again without significant cuts to our services.

I urge the governor and our state legislators to fund important county services for our most vulnerable citizens to at least the level of last year’s budget, while keeping the flexibility that a block grant would allow. Chester County can’t afford the current proposal’s cuts, no matter how they’re packaged.

Kathi Cozzone
County commissioner

· Chester County Fire Chiefs Association
· Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 11
· Chester County Labor Council
· Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry
· The Sierra Club
· Pennsylvania State Education Association

Join Kathi and Sue, our RECEPTION HOSTS, and special guest Dr. Manan Trivedi for an evening of fun, food and refreshments on Thursday, September 22, 2011, from 5:30 to 8:00PM at the Home of Tyler and Tildy Wren.

Reception Details and online Registration.
 

Dr. Trivedi (pictured with his wife and daughter) is a physician, Iraq War veteran, and is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Sixth Congressional District in 2012. Learn more about Dr. Trivedi on Wikipedia

RECEPTION HOSTS: Mark Banfield, John Hunt, Rob & Chris McNeil, Bob Roggio, Cathie Whitlock, Dan Wofford, Tyler & Tildy Wren and State Senator Andy Dinniman

Our Host Committee — still in formation — includes Ed Brownley, Cynthia Fischer, Bill Scott, Tom Sennett, Mark Stevens, and Tony Verwey.

CLICK FOR DETAILS and to REGISTER TO JOIN US.

County News: Chesco Commissioners Set Date for Building Sale Meeting
By Pete Kennedy
August 14, 2011

A public hearing will be held Aug. 24 to allow public input into the sale of 19th-century buildings.

The Chester County Commissioners voted Thursday to hold a meeting Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. for public input into the sale of three properties in West Chester Borough.

The three buildings up for sale are located in a courthouse complex located on the block bordered by Gay, Market, High and Church streets.

Ryan Costello and Terence Farrell voted in favor of the meeting date, while Kathi Cozzone opposed the motion. Cozzone said she preferred to hold the meeting after Labor Day, when more residents could attend.

“No matter when we schedule, it’s not going to be a perfect day,” Farrell said. “Some people will not be able to attend. We will welcome snail mail, email, whatever form people want to convey their opinions in.”

Two bidders are vying for the buildings—Stan Zukin of Zukin Realty, which is headquartered in West Chester Borough, and Exton-based developer Eli Kahn. Both have placed bids of more than $4 million.

The commissioners said the decision is about more than price, and that the Aug. 24 public hearing will be an opportunity for members of the public to discuss other aspects of the sale. It will not be an opportunity for the two developers to present pictures of their intentions for the properties, the commissioners said, because those decisions will fall under the authority of West Chester Borough after the sale.

“We could be talking about two plans, neither of which comes to any fruition. I think it’d be disingenuous to have folks give opinions on plans,” Costello said.

“We have a dual responsibility to the taxpayers of the county and the citizens of the Borough of West Chester,” Cozzone said.

West Chester resident and former borough councilman Bill Scott urged the commissioners to put an historic easement on the 19th-century buildings. Scott admitted he favored a sale to Zukin, but said he was not at the meeting at Zukin’s behalf. Prior to the vote, Scott had also said he favored a September meeting date to maximize attendance.

“I’m eager to have this meeting, and I’m eager to have it be well-attended,” Scott said. “I’ve been involved in this for 10 years, so I’ll be there—if you have it 11 at night, whenever.”