Does this mean if I play golf and drink beer that I am uneducated??

Only if you try and play golf one handed while holding the beer.

Thanks for checking in Laureen.

I can understand what you are saying about what some residents think. But I only deal with facts. The facts you stated about what CFHA and Moffitt are doing is known to me (I think). But I do believe that you can get coordinated care through this facility. Yes they will need to discuss with others but the Moffitt affliliation should allow for complete coordinated care (albeit maybe not just at the TV location). No? If I'm wrong then please correct me.

The biggest issue I've had is how people think CFHA or Moffitt is different than any not for profit 'hospital'. They all NEED donations. Hospitals have entire wings donated by benefactors. I guess this difference here is the distrust by some that think Morse et. al. will unduly benefit from the donations.

Now boys, calm down. I also play golf (and drink wine - love happy hour) but I meant that for some people, that's enough and they don't want to know what's happening here in our community. As long as it doesn't affect their insulated world, who cares? While I am flattered at all the attention, it would be better served by discussing the lengthy post by Ms. Ritchie and her two articles in the Sentinel. That is the real issue here and it deserves better attention that this.

Lauren, many of us do appreciate the facts you bring to light in your columns, and many of us do NOT take it personally, although there will always be those that do, for reasons I can't understand either. Your column is doing our community a favor ~ thank you!

More info is good. I'm not really sure this article had any new info though. All of it was already discussed here on TOTV. Maybe we're just ahead of the game:)

hey russ,
you certainly will be able to get what usually is called "coordinated care" at the moffitt center. but you can already get the same thing at two other centers in or near the villages -- one owned by dr. anderson and one by dr. hal jacobson. and both of those have "affiliations" with moffitt in place. (they're actual written agreements). also, all the docs who will be providing care at the center practice here already.

the problem is that villages residents, apparently because of the voluminous publicity, are presuming that moffitt is going to send its docs over here to diagnose and treat folks. that is not the case, and moffitt's VP is very clear on that. the doctors doing the diagnosing and planning of treatment modalities are all LOCAL docs, people with existing practices here right now.

the only thing that moffitt is providing a doctor for is to oversee the dispensing of radiation treatments -- the same treatment available in two of four centers close to the villages today. (two do full treatments; two do limited treatments, mostly in the field of urology cancers.)

both moffitt and central florida health alliance are, indeed, non profit. i am not sure why they would need donations. they get the same reimbursements from insurance and medicare as do for-profit hospitals and docs and cancer centers. it's an equal playing field for all of them.

as to whether morse will "unduly" profit...only in the sense that he can use the moffitt center as yet another tool to sell homes. realize that so far, he hasn't donated a dime, unless he has quietly done so without telling anyone. i'd be surprised if that's the case. yet he's asking you to reach into your wallet. i think that's wrong -- just my opinion.

also, he will make money on the deal from the long-term leaseback on the build-to-suit construction for the center. i don't begrudge him that. but i think it's wrong to have given people the impression that he's "donated" the property, which is precisely how his connection was described by his newspaper. he hasn't.

jane,
what an interesting question you raise about whether moffitt will be paying rent on the leesburg facility. that was one of the questions i would have asked lee huntley, had he been willing to be interviewed, which he wasn't.

-- lauren

hey iaudit,

folks weren't just "led to believe" that. they were flatly told that untruth by the developer's newspaper. that's what first attracted my attention to this issue.

--lauren

Is it possible to see an actual quote (source cited and verifiable) from anywhere on these 'untruths'? I see a lot of people saying it as absolute fact but have yet to see it in writing. I'm not saying it doesn't exist but since I'm up in the frozen north right now I need some links. Thanks.

Unfortunately, Russ, unlike real newspapers, the Daily Sun does not even post most of the their newspaper articles online or create an archive of previous articles for one to search. Therefore, unless one keeps a physical copy of their old newspapers, there is no way to go back and look at what was originally printed in the Daily Sun.

The main headline in the Daily Sun earlier in the week was that the donations for the hospital equipment had gone over $1 million dollars. If you look at the online edition with articles for this week, there is no mention of this milestone that warranted front page headlines.

Russ, as iaudit stated, it's often hard to provide links to stories from The Daily Sun. The are very selective on which articles can be viewed online.

However, here is a link to what I believe was the first announcement of Moffitt coming to The Villages. The article can be read in its entirety here: http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/n...cc4c03286.html

Hope I'm not breaking your rules, Tony, but I'd also like to cut and paste from that article into my post.

The developer is financing and building the second tower addition to the Sharon Morse Building next to the hospital. It will house the complete Moffitt Cancer Center, which is planned to be operative by early next year.

This means that most costs for the Moffitt center will be covered, with the exception of approximately $2 million of specialty cancer equipment, which will require some charitable contributions during the year of construction.

Maybe this is why so many people are not happy about this project and how it has evolved. It started out indicating approximately $2 million of equipment which will require some charitable contributions to over $4 million which they want to be entirely funded by charitable contributions. It was originally over $6 million but then they "joined forces" with Lake Medical Imaging, who already has a piece of equipment required, in their offices are the other end of the Sharon Morse building.

Hope this helps you understand why some of us feel as we do.

Yup, both statements are true, only neither disclose the full set of facts.
The Developer is doing the building, but neglected to say he's keeping it and renting it out.
Of course substantially all costs will be covered,--- from patient's fees, including rent expense. That's how business are run.
Ignorance is bliss, as the Developer so proves. And everyone runs out to jump on the bandwagon!
Also, keep in mind that not-for-profit organizations can AND usually DO make profits, they just are mandated to use "some" of those "profits" for charitable purposes. And, "profits" come after whatever salaries, and bonuses, and lavish fringes the "managers" of the organization pay themselves. The real problem of many not-for-profits is maintaining the balance between making and retaining large profits and disbursing enough charitable funds and activities to maintain their tax exempt status. If run "right", a not-for-profit is a license to steal.
There are many good organizations, but a lot of bad ones are really run for the benefit of the organizers, so check out an organization's financials and public reports before making significant donations.

I think ALL not for profit organizations in the health field have well stocked charitable giving/recieving foundations. As I've said before, you can walk into almost any hospital or medical center here in Boston (and there are many!) and read the names on the wall of famous benefactors or see the whole buildings that are in their name. And all of these facilities have CEOs, doctors etc. who make millions but they still ask for donations.

It is not unusual for a medical center to ask for donations regardless of the intended use of the money that is raised. I think this is fact not a guess I my part. I still don't understand the problem. If you don't support the charity then don't contribute and don't attend any function that is contributing. Send your money directly to the other charity that you think is being slighted. And yes, don't be afraid to let others know of your concerns if it means that much to you. This is still America and you have that right. To me - It is that easy!

To even insinuate that Moffitt is not a legit organization is ludicrous. There are places that monitor such thngs - just check them out. They, and their affliate network, have been ranked by those that rank such things as one of the top comprehenisve cancer research and treatment centers in the country.

If I'm wrong about this then I'll issue each and every one of you a sincere apology. But I'm betting that I'll never have to do that.

Very well stated!!