"We have other choices"

(Feb 8)
To the editor:
Well, well, it sounds like someone got fed up and tattled on the local health care mess. Now it will be interesting to see the mice scamper to protect the situation.
I see Danville City Council is already in defensive mode - what was that city tax figure, $1 million? That figure probably does not look so large to the mayor now if his patients refuse to accept health care at the local hospital, which is what a recent article seemed to be implying.
So now we get the local CEO for LifePoint putting on a “dog and pony show,” aided and abetted by Danville City Council. At least the community should get a few chuckles from this because I would bet the picture of LifePoint painted for public consumption will not much match the reality of usage.
Cutting the ratio of staff to inpatients seems to be a standard technique utilized when a for-profit company takes over a nonprofit hospital, based on a research paper I have read. So I totally believe the statements about this made by Dr. Stewart Sharp. Besides, I suspect there are few people in this area that do not know someone employed at the hospital, thus getting an accurate report on what is actually happening there. Anyone above the level of kindergarten knows what happens to inpatient care as a result.
Sooner or later, LifePoint’s executives will come to realize this area has the choice of a number of excellent hospitals and local patients are not going to be forced into an institution they do not wish to enter for health care. This situation may be unique among the properties owned by LifePoint. What will LifePoint do when that fact is finally absorbed, because my impression is that LifePoint is accustomed to its patient base at a hospital being captive, in the sense that no other competitive facility is in the area?
HILDRED
Danville