LOUDOUN MEDICAL GROUP URGES LOUDOUN GOVERNMENT TO HONOR COUNTY’S ADOPTED HEALTH CARE PLAN
Loudoun County’s Next Hospital Should Not Be Located in Broadlands
Loudoun Medical Group (LMG) is urging Loudoun government officials to honor the County’s adopted health care plan that calls for the County’s next hospital to be located on the Route 50 corridor, according to Bruce Thomas, MD; Board Chairman of LMG.
Loudoun Medical Group is one of the largest physician owned multi-specialty medical groups in
“This is not about choosing one hospital system over another, it is about what is best for Loudoun County and the continuation of creating a smart healthcare infrastructure for the future,” says James A. Lapsley, Chief Executive Officer of LMG. “
Health planning experts have reviewed and studied objective data for a few years and have recommended against a hospital in Broadlands for many reasons. The Health Services Agency (HSA) of
“I can’t understand why the State Health Commissioner approved the hospital location and plans when the planning experts who provide reports to the State recommended against it. The Commissioner listened to the planning experts the first time the Broadlands location was proposed and denied approval. The second time the State approved it even though the planning information was essentially the same,” he said.
“The plans for the new hospital include essentially a duplication of medical services at the current hospital, which makes no sense. All of the health planning experts say that even the significant increase in population within Loudoun County does not support a second hospital a few miles from the existing hospital,.” said Virginia Hackenberg, MD, Vice Chair of LMG’s Board.
Lapsley stressed that the current population growth rate and the wrong location will cause a splitting effect and not allow either hospital to achieve patient volumes to grow and prosper. “This could also curtail future investments in new and advanced services. In fact, both hospitals will experience significant losses initially. The HSA report considers many factors including population growth, demographics, transportation, cost, access and services,” Lapsley commented.
Some say, competition is good and this is why a new hospital is needed. LMG believes in competition, but the issue of where in
“The County’s Comprehensive Plan, which directs where hospitals and other health care facilities should be built, was developed in good faith and with the input of many people including community leaders, representatives from Inova and HCA. It was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2005. The facts that supported the plan have not changed. If the exception to build a hospital in Broadlands is granted, what good is a plan? Who can rely on decisions by their elected officials if exceptions can be granted so soon after adoption?” asked Lapsley.
Martha Calihan, MD, medical director of LMG, pointed out that since
If the Board of Supervisors approve a rezoning for the land and a new hospital is built in Broadlands the cost will eventually be passed on to residents. This cost as well as the operating cash losses both hospitals will experience will certainly raise cost of health care to residents
Lapsley concluded on behalf of the 122 medical providers in LMG, “We urge the Board of Supervisors to vote not to grant a rezoning for the proposed location and respect the County’s adopted Comprehensive Plan for health care. If you are concerned over this issue, get a copy of the HSA reports to understand how a new hospital in Broadlands will impact your community. Contact your supervisor to voice your opposition in allowing a hospital to be built in Broadlands. The high cost of building a new hospital and impact to residents will far exceed any benefit from tax revenue BRMC might pay as a for-profit provider.
LMG believes locating a second hospital in Broadlands is not in the best interest of the patients of LMG, the residents of
********
For More Information Contact:
Paul Draisey 703/431-1730