The difficult financial conditions for the Western Maryland Health System are likely to continue for the indefinite future — given the uncertainty of federal spending for health care.
As stated in a story on Page 1A of today’s Times-News, hospital leaders believe the elimination of about 95 full-time positions is more than a quick fix, it is a move that better positions the health system for future financial challenges.
Along with those manpower reductions, we would urge the health system to reassess compensation across the board — especially those of mid- and high-level management. Although two high-level adminstration positions are being eliminated because of retirements, the WMHS board has not signaled an intention of making other high-level cuts at this time, or adjusting downward any of the higher compensation it pays.
According to Guidestar, which publishes salary and financial information for non-profit organizations like the WMHS, 2010 compensation for the two positions being eliminated was $322,014 for the Chief Operating Officer and $218,073 for the Vice President of Human Resources. There are several other administration compensation packages that were $200,000 or more, including $990,287 of compensation for the health system’s CEO, Barry Ronan.
The health system’s board of directors said in a statement provided to the Times-News that it should be noted that Ronan’s compensation for 2010 included a one-time, three-year deferred pension plan that was held until the successful opening of the new Western Maryland Regional Medical Center at the end of 2009. His base salary for that year was approximately $475,000, the board said.
Nevertheless, these are high compensation amounts — especially for an area like Cumberland that has nearly 20 percent of its residents labeled by the U.S. Census Bureau as being in poverty. We would hope as the WMHS board moves forward, these compensation payments will be carefully weighed — not only in terms of local cost-of-living factors and expectations, but in terms of how compensation reduction might put the health system on better financial footing.
Saving jobs and regaining financial stability — while at the same time maintaining quality health care — is no easy task. We applaud the effort being made by the WMHS board and Ronan and his administrative team under what obviously are challenging and difficult times.
Some sound and prudent changes have already been implemented. More apparently will be necessary in the future — and they must necessarily impact everyone from the top on down.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
No easy task
No easy task
WMHS should look at executives’ pay as part of cost-cutting
- Opinion
-
-
High priority
Maryland school officials on Tuesday put an exclamation point on the need to take student-athlete concussions more seriously.
-
Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
-
Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
-
These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” -
Housing project will have bad effect on property in this area
I am writing to you to voice my opposition to a low income housing project that has been proposed for construction on a tract of land on Pine Swamp Road in Mineral County, W.Va. I am a registered voter and resident of Mineral County and live in the New Creek/Pine Swamp area.
-
Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
-
What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
-
School board should be doing better job with less money
The Allegany County Teachers Association (ACTA) board of directors recently submitted a letter to the editor asking the Allegany County commissioners to fully fund the Board of Education’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year (“Commissioners should fund school board request,” April 29 Times-News).
-
Better ‘Click It’
If you notice more police on the highway this week, it’s for a couple of reasons.
-
Were they really good old days? You decide
When a fellow gets old, it’s not unusual for his mind to wander back to the days of his youth. He may forget where he laid his glasses five minutes ago, yet he can remember events that took place a half a century ago. This is one of the interesting things of old age.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
