Mayor Adam O'Neal Promises to Walk to Washington, DC to Implore that Pungo Hospital Survives | Eastern North Carolina Now

    At the Beaufort County Commissioners on July 7, 2014, Mayor Adam O'Neal promised to walk to Washington, DC to seek relief from the Federal government to keep Belhaven's hospital open with a fully functional emergency room and an ongoing 10 bed facility.

    The mercurial Mayor O'Neal proclaimed, 'Yesterday, I bought some very good, expensive walking shoes that cost me $115.00 - I've never bought shoes that cost that much before - but they will carry me, walking, to Washington, DC. There I will meet with anyone that will meet with me to discuss what Vidant health has done to the people of Belhaven.'

    At the 'heart of this matter' is the closing of Belhaven's hospital by Vidant Health after losing about 2 million dollars in the their management of this health facility. Belhaven says they can turn the hospital around with the county's help, and a better management plan. Vidant even chipped in a million dollars, and made a very public announcement to do so, to help Belhaven's hospital remain viable, and then silently withdrew the offer without an explanation.

    Consequently, at that July 7 commissioners meeting, Mayor O'Neal announced two pertinent items: 1) 'I am walking to Washington, DC to meet with Justice Department Officials. Vidant is under a Title VI complaint, which the justice Department does take seriously. Maybe someone will meet with me.' 2) 'We just had our first death in the community because we no longer have a hospital. What a terrible way to spend the last hour of your life in the back of a ambulance.'

    Below is the news release that well belies Mayor O'Neal's resolve:

News Release:

    This Monday, July 14 at 9:00 am, I will be starting a walk to Washington, D.C. from our Belhaven Hospital. This walk will be for 4 main issues. First, we need a law that stops immoral organizations like Vidant Health from closing Critical Access Hospitals without at least a 1 year notice to allow local communities a chance at saving their emergency room services. Secondly, I will be pushing for Medicaid Expansion. Our state's refusal to accept expansion is taking 2 billion dollars a year out of our state's healthcare system. Thirdly, Americans need to realize the rural healthcare struggles across our country. In the last year, more rural hospitals have closed than in the previous 15 years. Every hospital closure means deaths!!! Lastly, Vidant Health's abuse of our town and area needs exposure.

At the first initial public hearing, in September, 2013, Vidant's CEO Dr. David Herman endeavors to put the best face on a bad situation: Above. Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal ehibits a moment of incredulity during Dr. Herman's comments: Below.     photo by Stan Deatherage     Click the image to expand.

   Vidant Health came to our town representing themselves as our savior and proceeded to rip our areas heart out. They have had no regard for our community or lives. The mediation agreement Vidant signed is the most recent example of their total disregard for written agreements.
   
    On my trip to Washington, D.C., I will be asking for our government to enact laws that stop slick tricks from being used to close Critical Access Hospitals. Not for Profit companies that make $100,000,000 in a year shouldn't be able to close a hospital like Belhaven's they own for a new immoral business plan. Not for Profit companies that have $550,000,000 in reserves shouldn't be able to rip out a communities Critical Access Hospital and keep their Non for Profit designation. Hopefully, Belhaven will be a starting point for the people of our country to be more important for once than greedy executives' million dollar bonus's. We the people need to stand together to protect healthcare for all of us.

    Sincerely,

     Adam O'Neal
       Mayor of Belhaven

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