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Cancer centers rejected
State Health Department rejects plans for new cancer centers in Stafford and Spotsylvania
Date published: 1/31/2009
BY JIM HALL A bid to expand the region's cancer treatment options has been rejected by the Virginia Department of Health. Dr. Karen Remley, the state health commissioner, this week rejected applications from HCA and MediCorp Health System to place radiation treatment equipment at their new hospitals in Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. Remley's decision follows one she made late last year approving a similar service for Culpeper Regional Hospital. Culpeper expects to break ground on its new cancer center this summer. The rejected projects would have added two linear accelerators and other treatment options, such as stereotactic radiosurgery, an advanced technology not available locally. The two projects were in competition with each other, and each company opposed the other's plans. HCA wanted to place $6.4 million in radiation treatment equipment at its Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. The HCA hospital is expected to open in May 2010. The construction project is visible from Interstate 95 near Massaponax. Mark Foust, spokesman for HCA, said Thursday that the company was disappointed with the commissioner's decision. "We believe that service will be an important part of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center," Foust said. "We certainly plan on reapplying again in the future." MediCorp, the parent company of Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, hoped to add cancer treatment equipment at its new Stafford Hospital Center, which opens next month on U.S. 1. The company said the capital budget for the project was $6.9 million. "We're very disappointed with the commissioner's decision," said Kathleen Allenbaugh, company spokeswoman. "We feel like we presented a very strong case for the services in this location." Both companies learned about the commissioner's decision Wednesday. Both said that they were undecided about an appeal. They have 30 days to file. Currently, the only local option for cancer patients who need radiation treatments is the Cancer Center of Virginia, on State Route 3 in Spotsylvania County. The center, owned by MediCorp, has two linear accelerators. Douglas Harris, adjudication officer for the Health Department, recommended rejection of the new projects, and Remley followed his advice. In his opinion, Harris said that the Fredericksburg area did not need more linear accelerators, and that each of the two accelerators at the Cancer Center did about 7,000 treatments in 2007. The state wants an accelerator to do a minimum of 8,000 treatments a year before it approves an additional one. "I continue to believe each project is premature," Harris wrote. The Health Department requires companies such as MediCorp and HCA to apply for a "certificate of public need" before doing major health projects. The state regulates the supply of health services in hopes of preventing excess capacity and higher costs. More than half of all cancer patients receive radiation as part of their therapy. Typically, patients visit a center multiple times to receive measured doses of radiation directed at their tumors. Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 1/31/2009
Competition needed!
(posted by
Wilderness
, Jan. 31, 2009 12:44 pm)
We need new medical facilities of all types in this area. Medicrop has had a monop[oly on health care around here for way too long. Ofcourse they don't want compeition because having it will require them to provide a standard of medical treatment that we currently have to go to Richmod or Charlottesville to receive. Sure sounds like the Health Department is in Medicorps back pocket already!
we need more centers
(posted by
SingleLakeAnna
, Jan. 31, 2009 12:10 pm)
As my father passed away from cancer, and I can see we are in need for more cancer centers in this area! Plus driving 30 mins to a center from out old house was hard on him cuz the treatment took alot out of him so I am thinking if there is more centers it be easier on the cancer patient at the end!
Dr. Karen Remley, MBA
(posted by
Einstein
, Jan. 31, 2009 11:56 am)
Dr. Remley denied additional options for people facing a serious illness because these cancer centers would be in competition, and each Corporation opposed having to deal with that? On her Va Dept of Health home page, Dr Remley states the mission of VDH is “To promote and protect the health of all Virginians.” Really? So her deception was based on health care? I could not help but notice that DOCTOR Remley also had an MBA after her name. Business before compassion.
Near-sighted Buffoons
(posted by
Revolution76
, Jan. 31, 2009 10:34 am)
They probably rejected the applications because the health commissioner didnt receive any bribes from the two corporations. What a shame to prevent better health care. What a loser.
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