Debate about Memorial will be up to citizens

The Colorado Springs City Council will appoint a citizens commission to lead a community conversation about health care and the fate of Memorial Health System.

During a meeting Wednesday with Memorial’s Board of Trustees, council members enthusiastically endorsed a proposal from the publicly owned health system to form a commission that would examine the pros and cons of selling Memorial, while also engaging the public in a larger discussion about health care in the community.

“I think you’re on the right track,” Vice Mayor Larry Small said.

The commission would consist of nine to 15 people and likely be assisted by a facilitator.

Larry McEvoy, Memorial’s CEO, said various experts may be needed to help out with the process.

He said Memorial would try to negotiate the best price but estimated “five-figure monthly fees,” which some council members balked at.

“I get real cold feet at that point,” Councilman Randy Purvis said.

McEvoy said Memorial would cover the costs. Even though it’s owned by the city government, Memorial doesn’t receive money from the city’s general fund.

“We expect to be stuck with the tab,” McEvoy said.

Officials said Wednesday’s meeting was intended to map out a process for a communitywide discussion about the future of Memorial — not to debate the merits of selling Memorial.

The discussion was sparked by the council-appointed Sustainable Funding Committee. Last year, the committee recommended the council explore options related to the governance and ownership of Memorial, which the city has owned for more than six decades.

“We directed the senior staff and the Board of Trustees for the hospital to come back to us with a plan for how they were going to start to implement what the Sustainable Funding Committee said to do,” Councilman Scott Hente said.

Hente said he opposes selling Memorial but is open to talking about it.

“I believe that the short-term gain would be more than offset by the long-term loss to the community,” he said.

“I’m trying to think beyond the immediate budget crisis that we’re in now and probably into the next year or two.”

ESTIMATED TIMELINE

January and February: Appoint commission

April: Commission develops options with pros and cons

May to December or longer: Engage community, evaluate options, make recommendation

January 2011: Deadline for City Council to place a measure, including whether to sell Memorial, on the ballot

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Call the writer at 476-1623.