News
NJ: Privatizing Ambulances Saved Money, Lost Lives
Privatizing emergency services could have saved a few dollars but there is no accounting for lives lost in the three years since Diaz turned responsibility for the city’s ambulances to Raritan Bay Medical Center, which itself was “hemorrhaging money,” according to hospital president Michael D’Agnes in November 2008. NJ TODAY
NE: Morale falls for UHC employees
And although many students are unaware of the health center’s privatization, or of what privatization even means, the university has asked UHC staff, as well as the students on its health center review board, to “keep quiet” about the issue, according UHC officials. UNL leaders have sought privatization for the health center because they want a new building, but don’t have the money to fund its construction on 21st and Vine streets. University administration said privatization was its only option because it didn’t want to raise student fees. Bids for a new health center are expected Friday. Daily Nebraskan
VA: Hundreds turn out to hear port-operation proposals
A public hearing drew a standing-room-only crowd Thursday, where port stakeholders and other citizens got their first chance to weigh in on the idea of turning the operation of the Virginia Port Authority’s terminals over to a different company…Most spoke in support of the current operator, a few backed APM, and some simply raised concerns or expressed a need to learn more. The port-privatization issue has become increasingly controversial since the state’s May 23 announcement that APM was interested in running all of the Port Authority’s terminals for 48 years, in a deal APM says could be worth up to $4 billion to the state in current dollars. The Virginian-Pilot
NY: Legislature looks to privatize Onondaga County nursing home
The county’s Ways and Means Committee has approved funding for Van Duyn through next year, but their goal is to privatize it by selling it to nursing home operator, Upstate Services Group. According to legislators, part of the problem has been state funding. They say the funding formula hasn’t been updated in over a decade. They’ve been filling the gap using a rainy day fund, but that money has now run out. Officials say plans must move forward or eventually it would bankrupt the entire county. YNN