Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Bill requiring open meetings at public hospitals passes committee.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:


BILL OPENING MEETINGS OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

JACKSON – Legislation to require open meetings at public hospitals heads to the state Senate for consideration soon, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said. 

“We’ve seen the need for transparency at public hospitals with recent events on the Gulf Coast,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “These taxpayer-supported entities should operate in the open so patients, staff and the public know the proper fiscal management practices are in place.”

Senate Bill 2407, sponsored by Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Ocean Springs, requires publically owned hospitals to follow the state Open Meetings Act and establishes new requirements to serve as a trustee of a community hospital. 

Patient records will be exempt from the Open Records Act and will remain private. 

Kingfish note: The bill passed unanimously on a voice vote. 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Senator Wiggins is from Pascagoula

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but where does Hosemann stand on this bill? That's what everyone is waiting on. Will we have to wait for the radio commercial to find out?

Anonymous said...

The current state of the law with regard to Community Hospitals is non-sensical. They are required to make their minutes open to the public, but there are no requirements as to what they actually put in the minutes. Technically, they could put in the minutes "We had a meeting" and that would be sufficient as long as those minutes were available to the public. This makes no sense and should be corrected.

Anonymous said...

I want to commend the efforts of Sen. Brice Wiggins-R Pascagoula, for pushing this bill just like he said he would. The day he stood up in the public meeting and stated that the SRHS scandal was just like the MsDMR scandal I knew he was taking all of this very serious. Once this becomes law we can all rest a little easier. I hope next Sen.Wiggins will write another bill that requires all public servants, both elected and appointed, to be held financially responsible for the misuse of public assets/monies of any kind by themselves or others at their direction,for any purpose that is not considered the peoples business. This type of wrongful action should be considered a felony. All individuals caught violating this new law would be required to reimburse the state or local government at a minimum, twice the actual expense of the illegal action and would also be required to give a public apology for doing so. One of the best examples of misuses that would be covered are actions like going on chartered deep sea fishing trips paid for by the taxpayers for politicians, their friends, relatives and campaign donors. This is but one example but one that Sen. Wiggins can relate to. Once this bill becomes law we can all be assured that Sen Wiggins is serious about his elected position. Once he offers a public apology for his attendance on the DMR fishing trips we can then give him our respect again.

Anonymous said...

2:22 - get over your bitterness about being left off the DMR gravy train.

Wiggins did a great job on this bill - although I disagree if he actually said (as you claim, but obviously you have a hangup about DMR) that it was 'just like' the DMR scandal. Yes, there was evidently a major scandal at DMR, perpuated by a few folks. Yes there appears to be a scandal at SRH, and it is yet to see who/what will be involved. But I disagree that the two are the same, other than they both were bad.

And - I agree with 12:49. We really won't know what the real impact of this bill will be until King Delbert tells us how he got it done.

Anonymous said...

"They are required to make their minutes open to the public, but there are no requirements as to what they actually put in the minutes."

Contracts have to be put in the minutes.

Anonymous said...

4:49 - get over your obsessive need to be considered some sort of all-knowing anonymous authority.

Wiggins has much to obscure from public view.

Anonymous said...

Reactionary politics at its best.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the establishment of a free blog "Comments Kingfish Doesn't Allow"? News of that would spread like WILDFUCKINGFIRE.

Anonymous said...

well...if the State (us taxpayers) are going to be helping hospitals by serving as debt collectors, then we ought to be able to " come" to the meetings!

Anonymous said...

5:46 - I have no obsessive need to be anything. And I am not any more 'anonymous' than you are. Put your name up there, and I'll be glad to do the same. Have no problem with putting my name on anything except it is too much trouble here on JJ. But get out of your sanctimonious attitude toward 'anonymonity' if you are going to do the same, you hypocrite.

Anonymous said...

And, by the way, its not 'obsessive'. I am all-knowing!! Sorry you have an inferiority complex about it.

Anonymous said...

Bankrupt public hospitals were discussed yesterday at the joint Ways & Means meeting at the Capitol. The reason for the Kosciusko hospital's financial collapse was not given as failure to open their meetings or expand Medicaid, but because they borrowed too heavily to renovate and upgrade. ACA requirements and out-patient competition were not faulted as committee members approved the modest state support and the Baptist takeover. More hospital problems are looming. The lobbyists at the meeting looked somewhat downcast.

B.S. Jehoshaphat said...

Have no problem with putting my name on anything except it is too much trouble here on JJ.

The one sentence that lets us know you are full of it.

Anonymous said...

>>>The lobbyists at the meeting looked somewhat downcast.<<<

When the lobbyists realize that the public and the lawmakers now know that SRHS robbed the pension plan at the same time it was supporting and helping pay for MHA's lobbying against public access to records, that ought to leave some skid marks.

Anonymous said...

Since the legislature has a hard on for open meetings all of a sudden, how about they change their own rules to open all legislative committee meetings? And put some teeth in the current rules by establishing a penalty for holding "unofficial" meetings and negotiations without proper public notice?

Anonymous said...

Brice Wiggins should apologize to the taxpayers of Ms. for participating in the misuse of taxpayer money. He has ignored this for too long.The public will not forget it. He should also repay the money that was spent on these private chartered fishing trips. Why has he not already? Time to admit you were wrong for ignoring this Senator Brice Wiggins-R.

Anonymous said...

Apparently we have one or two coastal bloggers on JJ. Yes, the Ocean Springs gang stepping out....



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.