County-run University Medical Center in Las Vegas may have to close in three years if something drastic isn't done to save it, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
By 2014, UMC could find itself operating $100 million in the red, according to a consultant's report released yesterday. Just last year, the hospital, which treats indigent and uninsured patients, lost over $70 million.
In 2009, UMC achieved the dubious distinction of collecting less than 1 percent of outstanding bills.
The hospital consultant that prepared the report said the public hospital could survive if it turned into a nonprofit, because it would be able to compete better with private hospitals and attract paying patients.
"You're at a crisis," said Kerry Shannon, senior managing director of FTI Healthcare, the firm county officials hired to study the hospital. "I won't sugarcoat it."
One county commissioner has asked for research to be conducted on the impact of UMC closing. He particularly was interested in learning how much the county would have to pay private hospitals for indigent services. UMC is the only public hospital in the county, Fox News reports.
To learn more:
- read the Las Vegas Review-Journal article
- read the Fox News article
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