From my perspective, listening to several community leaders, I believe moving forward in this climate of uncertainty to turn over Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to Florida State University is premature, untimely and dangerous.
There must be comprehensive discussions from this community before rushing to make this kind of significant and meaningful decision. We must have robust, forthright, transparent discussions and input from the citizens before making this kind of monumental commitment.
We must not hurry this process. We must not rush this process. We must not bypass public expectations and opinions and concerns, as it relates to the future of TMH.
Many of us aren’t against an academic/research medical school. However, we must be very careful that indigent and poor patients are not excluded and discriminated against. We live in a state that doesn’t believe in vaccines, science and research. We live in a state that hasn’t expanded Medicaid in decades.
I am encouraging our elected officials and the mayor to not make this seismic decision without consultation and advisement from this community. It is our hospital, and our voices must be heard and respected.
Rev. R.B. Holmes, Jr., Tallahassee
Do you have an opinion on the proposed agreement in which the city would hand over Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare assets to Florida State University? Write us a column or letter at letters@tallahassee.com
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A quick TMH turnover to FSU is ‘premature’ and ‘dangerous’ | Rev. R.B. Holmes, Jr.
Reporting by R.B. Holmes Jr. / Tallahassee Democrat
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