The Board of Directors, in concert with our membership, agree with the Talbot County Council that Easton Memorial Hospital should remain “in or near Easton, Maryland”. Though it may seem to some this position statement is overdue, its important in my mind for readers to understand the mission of the Talbot County Taxpayers Association (TCTA) and its relationship to matters affecting Talbot County taxpayers. In this regard, readers are encouraged to visit our newly created web site at http://tctaonline.org and view our mission statement as well as visit other pages to gain first hand knowledge of what the Association does and is doing.
We have studied in great detail the potential tax base impact if the hospital should be re-located outside of Easton. The impact would be devastating not only for Easton as one of our five, Talbot County incorporated municipalities but also on the County as a whole. We assess the impact to the tax base and ultimately to Talbot County taxpayers to be in the range of $85 to $100 million dollars short term (5-10 years) and well into the 100’s of millions over the long term.
We understand the decision process about the eventual re-location of Easton Memorial Hospital is in the hands of the Maryland University Medical System (UMMS) and its merger partner, the Shore Health System (SHS). We further understand that a decision by these parties to re-locate will result in the hospital remaining in Talbot County – at least in consideration of current Maryland legislation, the existing “Certificate of Need” and the commitment of UMMS/SHS executives to retain the hospital location in Talbot County. What we also understand is the decision is being developed on an economic and demographic basis with less than full regard for the local human impact. A move away from Easton would create a loss of timely medical services to those residing in areas such as Windy Hill, Tilghman Island, and Town of Queen Anne as well as a loss of long-recognized, significant contributions over decades by Talbot volunteers and fund contributors that have supported and sustained Easton Memorial. Equally devastating will be the loss of local revenues to such as Easton Utilities and other local service providers and well as the potential for a significant loss of local, hospital and service provider jobs. Physicians’ offices would likely move to be closer to wherever the hospital is if the new location is well outside the Town of Easton for those doctors and practioners with hospital privilages so as to be able to go back and between hospital and outpatient responsibilities
The TCTA Board and its sizeable membership believe the human dynamic should be the first decision consideration and that offers by Talbot County (land and transport access) and Easton (water, sewer, among other things) represent a unique and viable solution to the desire on the part of UMMS and SHS to create a first-class, modern facility capable of meeting the future needs of the Mid-shore region and its ever increasing population.
Many arguments for keeping Easton Memorial Hospital “in or near Easton” have already been put forth by others; we support fully these arguments.
Owen Wormser
President
Talbot County Taxpayers Association
We have studied in great detail the potential tax base impact if the hospital should be re-located outside of Easton. The impact would be devastating not only for Easton as one of our five, Talbot County incorporated municipalities but also on the County as a whole. We assess the impact to the tax base and ultimately to Talbot County taxpayers to be in the range of $85 to $100 million dollars short term (5-10 years) and well into the 100’s of millions over the long term.
We understand the decision process about the eventual re-location of Easton Memorial Hospital is in the hands of the Maryland University Medical System (UMMS) and its merger partner, the Shore Health System (SHS). We further understand that a decision by these parties to re-locate will result in the hospital remaining in Talbot County – at least in consideration of current Maryland legislation, the existing “Certificate of Need” and the commitment of UMMS/SHS executives to retain the hospital location in Talbot County. What we also understand is the decision is being developed on an economic and demographic basis with less than full regard for the local human impact. A move away from Easton would create a loss of timely medical services to those residing in areas such as Windy Hill, Tilghman Island, and Town of Queen Anne as well as a loss of long-recognized, significant contributions over decades by Talbot volunteers and fund contributors that have supported and sustained Easton Memorial. Equally devastating will be the loss of local revenues to such as Easton Utilities and other local service providers and well as the potential for a significant loss of local, hospital and service provider jobs. Physicians’ offices would likely move to be closer to wherever the hospital is if the new location is well outside the Town of Easton for those doctors and practioners with hospital privilages so as to be able to go back and between hospital and outpatient responsibilities
The TCTA Board and its sizeable membership believe the human dynamic should be the first decision consideration and that offers by Talbot County (land and transport access) and Easton (water, sewer, among other things) represent a unique and viable solution to the desire on the part of UMMS and SHS to create a first-class, modern facility capable of meeting the future needs of the Mid-shore region and its ever increasing population.
Many arguments for keeping Easton Memorial Hospital “in or near Easton” have already been put forth by others; we support fully these arguments.
Owen Wormser
President
Talbot County Taxpayers Association
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