Cooper Green Mercy Health Services: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Cooper Green Mercy logo.png|right]] | [[Image:Cooper Green Mercy HS logo.png|right]] | ||
[[Image:Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.jpg|thumb|right| | [[Image:Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The hospital in August 2009.]] | ||
'''Cooper Green Mercy Hospital''' is a | '''Cooper Green Mercy Health Services''' (formerly '''Mercy Hospital''', '''Cooper Green Hospital''' and '''Cooper Green Mercy Hospital''') is a medical clinic, formerly an inpatient general care hospital, which is owned by [[Jefferson County]] and operated by the [[UAB University Healthcare Authority]]. It first opened as '''Mercy Hospital''' in [[1972]] and was renamed for former [[Mayor of Birmingham|Birmingham mayor]] [[Cooper Green]] three years later. A publicly accessible [[Cooper Green Deck|parking deck]] is located adjacent to the medical center at 1515 [[6th Avenue South]], adjacent to [[UAB Hospital]] on [[Birmingham]]'s [[Southside]]. | ||
The hospital was scaled back to an urgent care facility without overnight beds on [[January 1]], [[2013]] as part of the fallout from the [[Jefferson County debt crisis]]. The facility was then operated by the [[Jefferson Health System]]. | |||
In February [[2004]] the hospital was placed under the aegis of the [[Jefferson Metropolitan Health Care Authority]], created by [[Jefferson County Commission]] president [[Larry Langford]] to allow for more flexible management and increased Medicaid claims. The authority became inactive in [[2007]] and management reverted to the existing health system. In May [[2009]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] suggested that the city of [[Birmingham]] take over operation of the hospital, predicting that the county would try to shut it down amid cost-cutting measures in the wake of | Funding for indigent care was established by the Alabama legislature in [[1965]], using revenues collected from county sales and liquor taxes. As a county hospital, Cooper Green Mercy provides health-care services to all Jefferson County residents with fees based on family size and income. In addition to staff physicians, the hospital coordinated with UAB Hospital as a training site for medical residents and to provide patients with diagnostic tests, trauma care, and other procedures outside of Cooper Green Mercy's capabilities. Though once licensed for 319 beds, by the mid 2000s, less than half that number were staffed, and the hospital served an average of 60 inpatients per day. Its emergency room handled as many as 35,000 patients per year. | ||
[[Max Michael]] served as administrator until [[2000]]. He resigned after his recommendation that the facility stop providing hospital services and serve entirely as an outpatient clinic was rejected by Commissioner [[Jeff Germany]]. The hospital's executive director from [[2001]] to [[2012]], was [[Sandral Hullett]]. She was laid off along with 210 employees in the cost-cutting plan implemented that year. | |||
In February [[2004]] the hospital was placed under the aegis of the [[Jefferson Metropolitan Health Care Authority]], created by [[Jefferson County Commission]] president [[Larry Langford]] to allow for more flexible management and increased Medicaid claims. The authority became inactive in [[2007]] and management reverted to the existing health system. In May [[2009]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] suggested that the city of [[Birmingham]] take over operation of the hospital, predicting that the county would try to shut it down amid cost-cutting measures in the wake of its massive [[Jefferson County debt crisis|debt crisis]]. | |||
From October [[2005]] to March [[2008]] the hospital underwent a $28 million program of extensive renovations and modernization of systems, focusing on patient care rooms and public areas of the hospital. [[Brasfield & Gorrie]] was general contractor for the project. | From October [[2005]] to March [[2008]] the hospital underwent a $28 million program of extensive renovations and modernization of systems, focusing on patient care rooms and public areas of the hospital. [[Brasfield & Gorrie]] was general contractor for the project. | ||
Special programs housed at Cooper Green Mercy | Special programs housed at Cooper Green Mercy included [[St George's Clinic]], an outpatient care clinic for HIV infected clients, an Adult Sickle Cell Clinic, a Women's Health Center, the '''Balm of Gilead Palliative Care Unit''', which focuses on comfort care for persons nearing the end of life. Cooper Green Mercy also operates the [[Jefferson Metrocare Health Center]] in [[Forestdale]] and the [[South Town Clinic]] in the [[South Town Housing Community]]. | ||
In June [[2010]], with the Commission proposing to sell the [[Jefferson Rehabilitation and Health Center]], several candidates in the [[2010 primary elections|2010 election]] indicated that privatizing Cooper Green could be necessary. In [[2011]] Commissioner of Finance [[Jimmie Stephens]] recommended that the hospital be prevented from drawing from the county's general fund to meet month-to-month expenses. | |||
In late [[2012]], despite objections from community activists, the Jefferson County Commission voted to end inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, reducing staff and operating as a primary and urgent care clinic. | |||
==UAB University Healthcare Authority== | |||
In April [[2019]] the County Commission debated a proposal to transfer the operations of Cooper Green Mercy Health Services to the [[UAB University Healthcare Authority]], which was created by [[UAB]] under the [[University Authority Act of 2016]] for a 40-year term, renewable for two additional 10-year terms. The Authority's seven members and its president are all appointed by UAB. The agreement passed by a 3-2 vote, with [[Jimmie Stephens]], [[Joe Knight]] and [[Steve Ammons]] in favor; and [[LaShunda Scales]] and [[Sheila Tyson]] opposed. Under the agreement, the County will leverage its indigent care fund to finance construction of a new [[Cooper Green Clinic]]. UAB leases the property for $1 a year and funds routine maintenance, repairs and utility service, while the county serves as the nominal employer of clinic staff, and remains liable for unbudgeted repairs and improvements, including environmental liability and remedial work. UAB reserves the first option on any sale of property. The agreement went into force on [[April 1]], [[2020]]. | |||
In | In [[2023]] the [[Jefferson County Commission]] voted to use individual income rather than household income as the basis for eligibility to receive services from Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, which was expected to make those services available to around 1,000 additional residents. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Velasco, Anna (July 15, 2007) "Renovation transforming look of county hospital." | * Velasco, Anna (July 15, 2007) "Renovation transforming look of county hospital." {{BN}} | ||
* Bryant, Joseph (May 19, 2009) "Mayor Larry Langford: Birmingham should consider operating Cooper Green Mercy Hospital." | * Bryant, Joseph (May 19, 2009) "Mayor Larry Langford: Birmingham should consider operating Cooper Green Mercy Hospital." {{BN}} | ||
* Wright, Barnett (June 5, 2010) "Fate of Cooper Green hospital in hands of future Jefferson County Commission." | * Wright, Barnett (June 5, 2010) "Fate of Cooper Green hospital in hands of future Jefferson County Commission." {{BN}} | ||
* Whitmire, Kyle (February 2, 2012) "Is Cooper Green Keeping Jeffco In The Red?" {{Weld}} | |||
* Leech, Marie (June 12, 2011) "Jefferson County takes hard look at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital funding." {{BN}} | |||
* Faulk, Kent (January 1, 2013) "Cooper Green Mercy Hospital urgent care center opens." {{BN}} | |||
* Hrynkiw, Ivana (April 16, 2019) "County commission discusses UAB taking over Cooper Green health services." {{BN}} | |||
* Johnson, Roy S. (April 24, 2019) "Credit JeffCo commissioner rookies for much-needed scrutiny on Cooper Green agreement." {{BN}} | |||
* Hrynkiw, Ivana (November 13, 2019) "Jefferson County approves UAB Healthcare Authority takeover of Cooper Green." {{BN}} | |||
* Patchen, Tyler (October 12, 2021) "Cooper Green Authority moving forward on a new multimillion dollar facility." {{BN}} | |||
* Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (December 20, 2023) "JeffCo Considers Forgiving Development Group’s Debt, Moving Coroner’s Office to Park." {{BWatch}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* [http://www.coopergreenmercyhospital.org/ Cooper Green Mercy Hospital] website | * [http://www.coopergreenmercyhospital.org/ Cooper Green Mercy Hospital] website | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Jefferson County Clinics]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Former hospitals]] | ||
[[Category:6th Avenue South]] | [[Category:6th Avenue South]] | ||
[[Category:1972 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:2012 disestablishments]] | |||
[[Category:1972 buildings]] | [[Category:1972 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Medical District]] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 20 December 2023
Cooper Green Mercy Health Services (formerly Mercy Hospital, Cooper Green Hospital and Cooper Green Mercy Hospital) is a medical clinic, formerly an inpatient general care hospital, which is owned by Jefferson County and operated by the UAB University Healthcare Authority. It first opened as Mercy Hospital in 1972 and was renamed for former Birmingham mayor Cooper Green three years later. A publicly accessible parking deck is located adjacent to the medical center at 1515 6th Avenue South, adjacent to UAB Hospital on Birmingham's Southside.
The hospital was scaled back to an urgent care facility without overnight beds on January 1, 2013 as part of the fallout from the Jefferson County debt crisis. The facility was then operated by the Jefferson Health System.
Funding for indigent care was established by the Alabama legislature in 1965, using revenues collected from county sales and liquor taxes. As a county hospital, Cooper Green Mercy provides health-care services to all Jefferson County residents with fees based on family size and income. In addition to staff physicians, the hospital coordinated with UAB Hospital as a training site for medical residents and to provide patients with diagnostic tests, trauma care, and other procedures outside of Cooper Green Mercy's capabilities. Though once licensed for 319 beds, by the mid 2000s, less than half that number were staffed, and the hospital served an average of 60 inpatients per day. Its emergency room handled as many as 35,000 patients per year.
Max Michael served as administrator until 2000. He resigned after his recommendation that the facility stop providing hospital services and serve entirely as an outpatient clinic was rejected by Commissioner Jeff Germany. The hospital's executive director from 2001 to 2012, was Sandral Hullett. She was laid off along with 210 employees in the cost-cutting plan implemented that year.
In February 2004 the hospital was placed under the aegis of the Jefferson Metropolitan Health Care Authority, created by Jefferson County Commission president Larry Langford to allow for more flexible management and increased Medicaid claims. The authority became inactive in 2007 and management reverted to the existing health system. In May 2009 Birmingham mayor Larry Langford suggested that the city of Birmingham take over operation of the hospital, predicting that the county would try to shut it down amid cost-cutting measures in the wake of its massive debt crisis.
From October 2005 to March 2008 the hospital underwent a $28 million program of extensive renovations and modernization of systems, focusing on patient care rooms and public areas of the hospital. Brasfield & Gorrie was general contractor for the project.
Special programs housed at Cooper Green Mercy included St George's Clinic, an outpatient care clinic for HIV infected clients, an Adult Sickle Cell Clinic, a Women's Health Center, the Balm of Gilead Palliative Care Unit, which focuses on comfort care for persons nearing the end of life. Cooper Green Mercy also operates the Jefferson Metrocare Health Center in Forestdale and the South Town Clinic in the South Town Housing Community.
In June 2010, with the Commission proposing to sell the Jefferson Rehabilitation and Health Center, several candidates in the 2010 election indicated that privatizing Cooper Green could be necessary. In 2011 Commissioner of Finance Jimmie Stephens recommended that the hospital be prevented from drawing from the county's general fund to meet month-to-month expenses.
In late 2012, despite objections from community activists, the Jefferson County Commission voted to end inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, reducing staff and operating as a primary and urgent care clinic.
UAB University Healthcare Authority
In April 2019 the County Commission debated a proposal to transfer the operations of Cooper Green Mercy Health Services to the UAB University Healthcare Authority, which was created by UAB under the University Authority Act of 2016 for a 40-year term, renewable for two additional 10-year terms. The Authority's seven members and its president are all appointed by UAB. The agreement passed by a 3-2 vote, with Jimmie Stephens, Joe Knight and Steve Ammons in favor; and LaShunda Scales and Sheila Tyson opposed. Under the agreement, the County will leverage its indigent care fund to finance construction of a new Cooper Green Clinic. UAB leases the property for $1 a year and funds routine maintenance, repairs and utility service, while the county serves as the nominal employer of clinic staff, and remains liable for unbudgeted repairs and improvements, including environmental liability and remedial work. UAB reserves the first option on any sale of property. The agreement went into force on April 1, 2020.
In 2023 the Jefferson County Commission voted to use individual income rather than household income as the basis for eligibility to receive services from Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, which was expected to make those services available to around 1,000 additional residents.
References
- Velasco, Anna (July 15, 2007) "Renovation transforming look of county hospital." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph (May 19, 2009) "Mayor Larry Langford: Birmingham should consider operating Cooper Green Mercy Hospital." The Birmingham News
- Wright, Barnett (June 5, 2010) "Fate of Cooper Green hospital in hands of future Jefferson County Commission." The Birmingham News
- Whitmire, Kyle (February 2, 2012) "Is Cooper Green Keeping Jeffco In The Red?" Weld for Birmingham
- Leech, Marie (June 12, 2011) "Jefferson County takes hard look at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital funding." The Birmingham News
- Faulk, Kent (January 1, 2013) "Cooper Green Mercy Hospital urgent care center opens." The Birmingham News
- Hrynkiw, Ivana (April 16, 2019) "County commission discusses UAB taking over Cooper Green health services." The Birmingham News
- Johnson, Roy S. (April 24, 2019) "Credit JeffCo commissioner rookies for much-needed scrutiny on Cooper Green agreement." The Birmingham News
- Hrynkiw, Ivana (November 13, 2019) "Jefferson County approves UAB Healthcare Authority takeover of Cooper Green." The Birmingham News
- Patchen, Tyler (October 12, 2021) "Cooper Green Authority moving forward on a new multimillion dollar facility." The Birmingham News
- Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (December 20, 2023) "JeffCo Considers Forgiving Development Group’s Debt, Moving Coroner’s Office to Park." BirminghamWatch
External links
- Cooper Green Mercy Hospital website