February 28

Officials having love affair with hospital lobby

Letter to the Editor

So let me understand this. Last year, your newspaper reported that MaineGeneral Medical Center was deep in debt.

Apparently, however, not so much in debt; it had enough money to build a new hospital with twice as many bathrooms and do a quick sale of the old hospital at bargain basement prices, asking Augusta property owners to foot the bill for tens of thousands of dollars in tax breaks for the new owners and a new turnpike spur for the hospital.

Ground hasn't even been broken on the spur yet, and the projected cost to build it is already $2 million over state engineer estimates.

Meanwhile, the governor is placing high priority on paying off the hospital debt while cutting back on outpatient ambulatory care, HIV clinics and nursing home care.

What is this new-found love affair local and state elected officials apparently have struck with the Maine Hospital Association lobby?

Patrick Eisenhart

Augusta

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