Bidders on Medical Clinic Ask for Later Opening Date: Meetings With Two Groups Also Uncover Key Differences in Proposals.
By Kathleen Quilligan, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Feb. 8–The Allen County Commissioners now know a full-service medical clinic in the City-County Building will not be ready to open March 1.
Commissioners Nelson Peters and Bill Brown met separately Wednesday with representatives from Tennessee-based CareHere and the Fort Wayne Medical Education Program, two groups bidding to run the clinic.
Eric Whicker, chief financial officer for the local group, told the commissioners he was more comfortable opening four weeks after being awarded the contract. Ken James of CareHere said the same thing.
A vote from the commissioners isn’t expected until Feb. 16. The clinic would serve county employees covered under the county’s health-care plan.
Peters originally wanted the clinic to open Feb. 1. The commissioners signed a letter-of-intent with CareHere in November but decided shortly thereafter not to award the contract after County Council President Paul Moss asked why the commissioners were looking at an outside company.
The Fort Wayne Medical Education Program submitted a proposal to run the clinic in January.
Wednesday’s discussions also revealed some key differences between the two proposals. For example, CareHere would hire one doctor and one certified medical assistant to staff the clinic; the medical education program would hire one doctor and one registered nurse. Registered nurses are more expensive but also more qualified.
Under CareHere’s proposal, patients with after-hours questions would call a hot line staffed by nurses following established protocol. The medical education program’s proposal would direct patients to an on-call doctor.
Another large difference centers on health assessment. CareHere’s proposal states each patient would receive a 28-panel lab and a 21-page report to diagnose existing unknown conditions. O’Hara said her group would decide what tests to run after patients talk with the doctor.
Brown expects further discussion at the commissioners’ legislative session Friday.
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Commissioners’ next meeting
What: Allen County Commissioners’ weekly legislative session
When: 10 a.m. Friday
Where: Commissioners Courtroom, City-County Building, 1 E. Main St. Parking is available in the adjacent garage.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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