Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, January 16, 1997
Time running out as contract negotiations to operate PMC continue
The contract, between the Pahrump Community Hospital
Board of Trustees and Arcon HealthCare of Nashville, Tennes-
see, was not ready to sign when the board and Arcon regional
Vice President Jone Law Koford met on Tuesday.
Arcon is slated to take over operation of Pahrump Medical
Center on Monday. Koford, who had planned to bring in billing
equipment on Friday, conduct staff training over the weekend
and restock supplies on Sunday, was reluctant to proceed
without a signed contract.
Board attorney Len Smith, who was in contact with the
board by telephone, told board members most of the changes
were in the wording rather than the terms of the contract. He
expressed confidence the contract would be ready for Arcon
officials to sign on Thursday. The board is scheduled to meet
Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the intent to sign the contract
in time for Arcon's operational takeover.
One of the areas of disagreement from the beginning has
been Arcon's desire to have a lease option on the PMC facility.
Arcon says it wants to purchase the facility in order to expand
to meet the "Arcon model" which would include expanded
:3
radiology and laboratory services and possibly outpatient
surgical capabilities.
Sale of PMC would require the approval of the Nevada
State Attorney General's Office and the Nevada State Tax
Commission. Smith indicated that feedback he has received
from both state offices to date seem to indicate that PMC can not
be sold. If sometime in the future, it is determined that the
medical facility can be sold, Smith said he can convert the
current lease option to an option to sell.
The board has agreed to help defray Arcon's start-up costs
up to, but not to exceed $500,000, during the HealthCare
company's first three months of operation. The agreement is
part of the contract, but the board would not agree to an
additional subsidy of seven percent of the cost of Arcon's
operation at their main office as requested by the company.
Smith informed the board the additional subsidy will not be in
the completed contract.
The contract also stipulates that Arcon will assume the
hospital district's payments on the loan for the construction of
PMC as soon as the "for profit" company reaches a break-even
Community College expands classes to 50
by Patti Babcock
Gazette staff
The Community College of Southern Nevada has in-
creased class offerings in Pahrump to 50 according to Dan
Simmons, Southern Nye County Coordinator. Simmons is
excited about the tremendous growth in the number of classes
offered in Pahrump. The number of on-site teachers has
increased from two to twenty.
The emphasis of most of the new classes will be to teach
skills that will lead to certification and employment. New
offerings will include: Building codes; Welding, Career
Development, Journalism (news gathering and writing), Real
Estate ( R.E. law and conveyancing), a Life and Health
Insurance licensing course, a C.S.A. Certified Automotive
course, and the furl range of computer classes normally
available.
Students can also opt for academic transfer classes, Span-
ish and English as a Second Language (ESL). All ESL classes
are free.
Free classes are offered to everyone over 62 years of age.
An impressive number of seniors are attending CCSN classes
Simmons says, but he thinks more would be interested if they
knew their tuition is free.
Tuition for students under 62 is $109.50 for a three unit
class. One unit classes like the new concert band offering are
only $34.
CCSN classes are taught at Palirump Valley High School.
Simmons says, registration can be done by phone or mail. He
also plans two nights (dates to be announced) when registra-
tion can be done in person. Simmons urges every one who is
interested to register early, NOW, as he expects classes to fill
rapidly.
Financial aid is available through the college. Nevada
Business Services offers educational aid to low income
people. To obtain more information about NBS aid contact
Bill Reuss at 727-4388.
Classes begin Wednesday, February 5th.Simmons will
answer questions about classes or enrollment at 751-3452.
Other good news from the college is that classes are
available for the first time in Amargosa and will be taught at
Amargosa School.
Simmons is pleased with the strong commitment CCSN
is making to Pahrump with investment in such a large number
of new classes. The quality of the instructors is excellent.
Simmons says, "the number of highly talented, educated,
qualified people who are willing to teach is very exciting."
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point. Chairman Mankins has expressed concern about this
open ended time for Arcon to assume the debt since the
proposal submitted by Arcon was read the first time.
At least one board member privately expressed concern
over Arcon' s statement that PMC will retain the current sched-
ule established by St. Rose which closes PMC during the third
(night) shift and on Sunday. The trustee said it seemed like a
breech of the agreement. Arcon had initially said it would
restore 24-hour, 7-day a week care on the date it took over
operation of PMC.
Their reasoning is they need more time to hire physicians
to replace those who are leaving. The trustee said he/she was
only aware of one physician departure, that of medical director
Dr. Walter Hoppe.
The trustee said it was his/her opinion that Arcon's pro-
posal was selected over the other two because they were the
only provider to promise restoration of 24-hour care at PMC.
In spite of diverse concerns in the transition of HealthCare
providers, board members have all agreed that their primary
concern is to "keep the doors of PMC open."
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