Rhino reports Guilford County Manager Marty Lawing’s plan to establish operate its own health clinic for employees.
First reaction is maybe Lawing and county commissioners should make sure the problems over at DHHS are fixed first before expanding the county’s role as a health and welfare provider.
But apparently that’s not the most pressing issue:
Commissioner Carolyn Coleman said she thinks the clinic can be a benefit to employees, but she wonders if they will forgo their current doctor for the county clinic.
“My question is how many would patronize it if they already have a current doctor,” Coleman said.
She said county employees don’t take much advantage now of some health offerings that the county provides.
“The health department has exercise equipment, but the employees don’t know about it,” Coleman said.
Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes joked that he wants to make dead sure of one thing when it comes to the county’s new medical practice.
“The key here is that you can keep your doctor if you want to,” Barnes said.
Lawing said one-time startup costs would run between $50,000 and $100,000, which are “highly optimistic figures” as the Rhino puts it. I would think the break-even date of 24 to 28 months would also be highly optimistic. Also coincidental –as loyal commenter Fred Gregory points out– that talk of a new clinic comes along with talk of another sales tax hike on the ballot. Yes I know— that money would go toward schools……
