Skaggs Doing Away With Open Heart Surgery

By: Monte Schisler, News Director
Posted: Wednesday, February 01, 2012

On the same day the CEO of Skaggs Regional Medical Center announced the hospital is for sale – it was learned that Skaggs is doing away with open heart surgery come the beginning of March.

William Mahoney told reporters that the decision will mean three positions will be eliminated from the hospital payroll, including that of a surgeon. He said other staff members in the department will be transferred to other positions within the hospital.

Mahoney said no surgeries had to be cancelled as a result of the cost saving decision.

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Also on Tuesday, Skaggs Regional Medical Center announced it would no longer perform open heart surgery, effective the beginning of March.

CEO William Mahoney said the decision will mean three positions will be eliminated, including that of a surgeon. Other staff members in the department will be transferred to other positions within the hospital.

Comments (8) - comment on this story

please help save Skaggs Hospital - 02/01/2012 7:07:22 AM

Please help save Skaggs Hospital-Skaggs Community Hospital opened its doors on January 8, 1950. Back in the late 40's, M. B. & Estelle Skaggs-who are the owners & founder of all SAFEWAY GROCERY STORES in America, gave Branson-Taney County people a hospital in his name, he said it would be for,forever, he said it would never be for sale. M B built it for $250,000 bucks as a gift to poor people of Taney County & the Branson area. He said nobody would ever be turned away because they coiuld not pay their bill for health care. The empty hospital building was turned over to the community as a gift, with area citizens asked to raise money to equip and furnish it. When the community was unable to raise the entire needed sum, Mr. Skaggs donated an additional $50,000 to supplement the community funds Skaggs was named after M.B. and Estella Skaggs; M B Skaggs was the prosperous founder of Safeway grocery stores and a Cato,Missouri native who owned a home and Skaggs Game Preserve in Mincy,Mo, eastern Taney County,down J Hiway past Kirbyville. Marion Barton Skaggs, born April 5, 1888 in Cato,Mo and raised in Newton County,Mo and American Falls

upset - 02/01/2012 7:34:56 AM

So what happens to all the heart patients in Branson. I was just getting ready to move my mom here because I was told Skaggs was one of the best heart hospitals in Branson. She has a heart condition so now we have to go to springfield?

Concerned2 - 02/01/2012 8:37:22 AM

It is too bad Skaggs has 35 million in bad debt. Even though they file suit to collect from the slugs who steal their services it does no good.It only adds more debt in lawyer fee's and filing costs. To those who owe Skaggs money I say pay up now so we that DO pay will be able to continue receiving care here locally. What a shame that a few can destroy such a great community asset.

Concerned3 - 02/01/2012 10:41:14 AM

Concerned2, read "Please help save Skaggs Hospital..."

Tommy - 02/01/2012 4:20:57 PM

Can someone clear something up for me ? on these news sites I see them saying that Skaggs is For sale, while on the TV news they are saying that Skaggs is only seeking a partner, which one is it ? Wanting a partner in business is quite a bit different then it actually being for sale.

hillbilly - 02/01/2012 5:12:41 PM

Dont worry, Cox or St Johns (mercy) will buy them probably before the ink dries on the press release

Uninsured - 02/02/2012 7:37:14 AM

Please keep in mind that many of those who cannot afford to pay are those who keep this "community" running. They are the ones who sell the tickets, pick up the parking lot and bring you your food. It's easy to lay blame when you do not know the story.

Community Oriented - 02/02/2012 9:27:55 PM

I have lived in this area all my life and have used Skaggs Hospital as well as my family members.When Skaggs Hospital started having problems was when they stopped using the same Drs in the E.R.as you would see in the hospital.Then they decided the Drs would work for them in their office's and demanded they only spend 10 minutes per patient.Dr's left or were forced to leave because they didn't want to treat their patient's like a number instead of human beings.Then they started hiring Drs that had been terminated from other hospitals because of questionable practices.Skaggs has also started sending heart patients to St Louis when the procedures could have been done in Springfield which is an injustice to the patients, causing more stress,driving,and added lodging expense.We have had to get new primary Drs or specialists and receive a letter (or not) that they will no longer be in this community or your physician.These are the things I have seen come to pass.With the return of good supervision,changes, and concern for the people Skaggs Hospital could return to the original intent of Mr Skaggs.I would LOVE to see that come to pass and have a hospital we can sepend on and be proud of.