Shands HealthCare is closing the doors at AGH on Nov. 1, citing persistent financial losses and the weakened economy. In recent years, these annual losses have climbed to more than $12 million.
Even with the impending closure, the Shands at AGH Web site still reads: "People throughout the region count on Shands AGH for their families' healthcare." This is true; many of the low-income residents of east Gainesville rely on charity-care services offered by AGH.
All told, the Shands HealthCare System provided more than $115 million of charity care in 2008. While this is admirable, Shands is cutting off access to those in need by moving many charity services out of the area.
A clear sign of how desperately east Gainesville requires additional health care facilities - not fewer - is the 2008 Alachua County Health Report Card. The east Gainesville area scored lowest in almost every category, spanning health, education and income.
When looking at STD rates among this population, the statistics are shocking. Compared to people in neighboring areas, those in east Gainesville are more than three times as likely to have sexually transmitted infections, and almost four times as likely to have HIV.
This area also claims the lowest birth weights and highest infant mortality rate, four times higher here than in other areas of Gainesville.
By losing maternity and obstetric services to the Shands facilities on Archer Road, many will find it increasingly difficult to get "early and regular care," which the Shands Web site says is "essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy."
This care may be essential, but unfortunately it is unprofitable.
Shands CEO Timothy Goldfarb has said closing AGH was a business decision, albeit a difficult one. AGH must close to prevent future deficits for Shands.
Not-so-coincidentally, the same day that AGH closes, Shands Cancer Hospital will open its doors. Cancer treatment is expensive and highly lucrative, especially when compared to providing basic health care services to low-income neighborhoods.
Hats off to Gainesville's finest businessman.
But for the roughly 54,000 residents of east Gainesville, this difficult business decision will have sweeping consequences. Rates of treatable STDs, infant mortality and homicide deaths (also higher here than anywhere else in Gainesville) will increase as east Gainesville's intensive care unit disappears.
Depriving this community of basic services will hinder economic growth, encourage crime and hurt the city as a whole.
While a wave of violent crime (and subsequent hospitalizations) might provide a short-term boon for Mr. Goldfarb's bottom line, in the long run, Shands, UF and the city will benefit from a healthier population and stable neighborhoods.
Accomplishing this with dwindling resources will be a challenge, but hopefully Mr. Goldfarb will see value in redirecting some of the tens of millions in "savings" from AGH's closing back into the community.
Because at some point, health care for those in need must take precedence over earnings.
OK, we know that last part was a long shot. But at the very least, we hope that the health of all Gainesville residents will factor a little more into Mr. Goldfarb's difficult business decisions.
