Kirby Replacement Hospital Project
Last Updated: January 2010
Q: Where are you planning on building the new hospital?
A: The hospital will be built at the Market Street and I-72 exit northeast of Rick Ridings on a new street called Medical Center Drive.
Q: How far along are you on the replacement hospital project? UPDATED!
A: We have secured the State's approval to move forward with the construction of the hospital. We are planning on an April 2010 ground-breaking with an estimated summer/fall 2011 grand opening. We will finance the project through a federally-insured bond issue through the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.
Q: Will you rename the new hospital?
A: Yes, The John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital will be renamed the Kirby Medical Center at its grand opening.
Q: Given the current economic challenges, does Kirby feel confident it can build a hospital that is affordable?
A: While the economic climate has changed since our planning for the replacement facility began in 2005, our need for a new and modern facility has not. Rural, primary healthcare is some of the most affordable and important healthcare delivered across the country.
Q: What is the economic impact of Kirby Hospital on our community?
A: Kirby Hospital makes a tremendous and positive economic impact in Piatt County. We employ 180 people and our annual payroll equals $6.8 Million. The replacement hospital project will create an estimated 120 new construction jobs and infuse our local economy with new business for our restaurants, hotel and shops. When the community chooses to have their healthcare services at Kirby, (laboratory, imaging, physical therapy, surgery), they are also helping to keep our local economy strong. Dollars spent at Kirby stay in Piatt County. Additionally, Kirby provides needed financial assistance to those who cannot afford to pay for their medical care. In 2008, Kirby Care Assistance provided an estimated $250,000 to the families of Piatt County.
Q: Will Kirby Hospital continue to be in the Health Alliance network?
A: Kirby Hospital has been in the Health Alliance network for many, many years and we intend to remain valued partners with Health Alliance for all our hospital services, including Convenient Care, lab, imaging, physical therapy, surgery, and sleep lab.
Q: Will Kirby Medical Group (KMG) continue to bring in new providers?
A: Many of you may have already met or become patients of our two nurse practitioners, Amber Oberheim and Michelle Evans. Our newest family practice physician, Dr. Chunling Gong, began seeing patients in September.
Q: Has Kirby decided what it will do with the State Street Campus once the move takes place?
A: We continue to explore and discuss possibilities for the current hospital and doctor's building once we make the move. We are in discussions with the Piatt County Board and Nursing Home about usage of the campus, as well as the Allerton Library Board.
Q: Kirby Hospital is known as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). What is a CAH?
A: Kirby Hospital is an independent not-for-profit hospital and not part of any other healthcare organization. We are also a CAH which means the Federal Government recognizes Kirby as a rural, acute care hospital that has met federal program certification requirements for daily in-patient census count (25 or fewer), average length of stay and provides standard services. In return, a CAH receives cost based reimbursement (CBR) from Medicare for hospital services. Medicare pays 101% of reasonable costs for services provided to Medicare patients. Reasonable service costs can include salaries, supplies, equipment, and building costs. The current Kirby payer mix is >60% Medicare.
Q: Will our taxes be increased to build a new hospital?
A: No. As a private not-for-profit hospital, we receive zero tax dollars for hospital operations. The only tax dollars allocated toward Kirby are those which support the ambulance service which currently operates at a loss. There will not be, and cannot be, any special tax assessments imposed on our community to build the new facility.