Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 33

I B-8 Wednesday, June 28, 1989 THE TRIBUNE, Oakland, California By Roland Do Wottt IkvTMbMM Oakland Hospital, which closed Its emergency room three weeks ago, yes terday went into a state of chaos as some employees were laid off and others had no idea whether they should show up for work today. Were on a day-to-day basis, said one nurse who asked not to be identified. The informal word is that were shutting down. But they haven't told us anything formally. I dont know whether I should come to work tomorrow or not, said another nurse, who also asked for anonymity.

No one will tell us anything." Hospital attorney Douglas Wah said late yesterday that the facility will not close immediately and that no decision about its future will be reached before Friday. He added that the East Oakland hospital will transfer its last seven patients to other facilities soon. Wah said eight of the hospitals remaining 65 employees were laid off yesterday. Another nine workers have had their hours cut Closing and reopening later may be the best thing for the hospital, Wah said. It needs some breathing room.

But that won't be decided until Friday." Oakland Hospital, built in 1931 and licensed to operate 90 beds, is the last private hospital to serve Shut Oakland. The only other medical center for the area is county-owned Highland General Hospital. When the emergency room closed June 1, the approximately 950 patients that used the facility each month were referred mostly to Highland. If the entire facility closes, a still greater impact will be felt at the al ready overburdened county hospital, said Highland spokeswoman Phyllis Brown. The problem at Oakland Hospital, said co-owner David Self, is money.

Most of the patients seen at the hospital are poor and have little or no health insurance. Those who have some sort of health coverage usually rely on Medicare or Medi-Cal, "Mid Self, formerly Oakland city manager and city attorney. He is best known as the architect of the failed suit to keep the professional football Raiders in Oakland. The Medicare people owe us to $1 million, said Self. They said they will pay us in 45 to 60 days.

Thats a killer. At the same time, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) says we owe them; money, but we cant pay them if the federal Medicare people dont pay us, Medicare officials were unavailable for comment yesterday. In all, Wah said, the hospital is owed about $3.5 million. In addition. Pacific Gas Electric Is demanding more than $80,000 in payments.

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