Augusta, GA

Wellstar agrees to takeover of Augusta University hospitals

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2023

Wellstar agrees to takeover of Augusta University hospitals

Georgia officers have accepted the takeover of the Augusta College hospitals related to the state’s solely public medical college.

The state Board of Regents on Friday accepted agreements to switch management of the hospitals to Marietta-based Wellstar Well being System, saying the deal could take impact in late summer time.

Augusta College President Brooks Keel stated in an internet press convention that Wellstar would take over because the controlling authorized entity of the well being system, which is able to now be often known as Wellstar MCG Well being. The precise particulars of the switch, first introduced in December, remained unclear. Neither facet instantly supplied a duplicate of the related contracts.

The partnership, introduced in December, has turn out to be a political soccer in latest months as a result of Wellstar earlier closed Atlanta Medical Heart and Atlanta Medical Heart South in East Level, and since Wellstar opposed a push by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to permit hospitals to be in-built rural counties with out getting a required state allow.

However Gov. Brian Kemp and College System Chancellor Sonny Perdue pushed laborious to conclude the deal, pushed by issues over the monetary struggles of the Augusta College Well being System, which runs the 478-bed Augusta College Medical Heart and the 154-bed Kids’s Hospital of Georgia, each in Augusta.

“There is not any doubt in my thoughts that this new partnership is a win for our state, and a win for numerous households throughout our state,” Kemp stated Friday in an internet information convention.

The Augusta College Well being System additionally has regulatory approval to construct a 100-bed hospital in Grovetown, within the rising Columbia County suburbs of Augusta. The system additionally runs the Georgia Most cancers Heart in Augusta, and Roosevelt Heat Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals in Heat Springs and owns doctor practices.

Wellstar runs 9 hospitals in suburban Atlanta, principally concentrated within the northwest suburbs. It stated it has pledged to speculate practically $800 million in AUHS amenities, together with greater than $200 million for the principle Augusta College Medical Heart, plus constructing the brand new hospital in Columbia County and related amenities.

Wellstar additionally stated that it might spend further cash on the implementation of a brand new medical data system that the state is spending $105 million on. Jones derided that cash as a “giveaway” to Wellstar.

The transfer is one among many hospital mergers in Georgia and nationwide, as standalone hospitals mix into massive programs. That helps them afford large investments but in addition offers them the market energy to barter extra profitable cost agreements with insurers.

Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare took over a three-hospital system primarily based in Augusta final yr, pledging to speculate greater than $1 billion in upgrades and expansions over the subsequent 10 years. That nonprofit group was named College Hospital, though it wasn’t managed by Augusta College.

Within the 2021 funds yr, AU Well being Programs misplaced $28 million on $1.06 billion in income — which is the latest yr for which a state audit is accessible. Income included $30 million in state appropriations. The system has misplaced $63 million general since 2017, audits present. AU Well being Programs has been in search of a accomplice since 2019.

The 2 sides stated in December that the deal may additionally lead to an extra growth of the Medical Faculty of Georgia by creating a brand new regional campus at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. No specifics of that potential growth had been talked about Friday, though Wellstar CEO Candace Saunders and others talked about growth typically.

“This partnership will prepare extra physicians at Medical Faculty of Georgia to assist tackle a big scarcity of clinicians in our state,” Saunders stated. “These physicians will be taught on the MCG, lots of them will prepare at WellStar.”

The state and Wellstar once more touted alternatives to make use of telemedicine to increase medical care and scientific educating to rural elements of the state. How that will work is unclear.

Keel stated that Augusta College sought within the course of to “be certain that our workers are going to be protected to the easiest that we probably can. Wellstar has made that dedication.”

Perdue stated the agreements can be filed subsequent week with Georgia Legal professional Basic Chris Carr for evaluation, topic to a potential public listening to. The Federal Commerce Fee additionally critiques hospital mergers.

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Augusta, GA

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Press Room

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – City leaders are planning to create an entertainment district in downtown Augusta.

The idea is to model it after cities like Savannah with similar open container rules.

Right now, current downtown Augusta ordinances don’t allow for open containers or bars to have outdoor seating. The rules impact several businesses.

Pedal Pub is fairly new to the area. With the current rules, they cannot use their pub on the pedals.

Charity Jones and Syderist Manuel are sisters and co-owners.

“Once this entertainment district is done and completed, we’ll definitely see a definite change in our business. Without being able to take alcohol on the bikes, a lot of people are like ‘Okay, well we can go other places to enjoy it,’” they said.

They are not the only place with this problem. It’s starting to catch the attention of those in charge.

Commissioner Sean Frantom said: “Between Augusta University, the cyber center, and all the residential going up, it’s time for us to kind of up our game in downtown Augusta. You’d be able to have a designated cup that each establishment would have where you can only have your drink in this cup as you go from establishment to establishment, as well as the fact that it would be able to carry this drink to the James Brown arena.”

Right now, it’s just a matter of getting everyone on board.

“We want the blessing of the sheriff’s office and kind of what they think and what they see in this. Obviously, it’ll only be a certain timeframe. It won’t be until 2 a.m., it’ll be maybe towards 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Again, we want to be respectful of that,” said Frantom.

As for businesses, they are also in planning mode.

Manuel and Jones said: “How can we work? What is it that we want as bars to be able to see the entertainment district represent for us, you know, we would like to be at the forefront of that, making sure that it is something that would benefit us.”

Many stakeholders are involved in the planning from the Downtown Development Authority to the Convention Center.

One of the main things they’re considering is safety when it comes to allowing open containers.

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County sheriff, attorney general make public safety announcement

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Press Room

Richmond County sheriff, attorney general make public safety announcement

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – From conspiracy to commit murder to drive-by shootings, 30 suspects face more than 300 charges after a sweeping multi-agency operation.

There’s new information about an operation two years in the making, and leaders say they are not done yet.

The images below are just a snapshot of some of the weapons, drugs, and gang paraphernalia seized during phase two of Operation “No Loyalty”.

Law enforcement believes they have dismembered the gang responsible for several violent crimes and more.

So far, more than 60 people have been arrested in Operation “No Loyalty”.

On Thursday, Attorney General Chris Carr said the gang prosecution unit indicted 30 people they believe are directly associated with the gang ‘Trap Money’, including the gang leader.

The photos and videos are what law enforcement leaders say is a direct result of a two-year under cover operation with one goal: taking down a ring leader and making sure no one fills their seat.

“Our ultimate goal is to dismantle the criminal street gang, by pursuing those who are directing and engaging in persistent acts of violence,” said Carr.

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Sheriff Richard Roundtree says Operation “No Loyalty” has led the sheriff’s office, GBI, FBI and several other agencies in seizing: 35 pounds of cocaine, 15 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill millions, two pounds of meth, 278 pounds of marijuana, two homes, 64 guns, nine vehicles and nearly half a million dollars in cash.

Leaders say this criminal activity spans over two years across eight different counties in Georgia.

“Investigators then learned that members of the gang were not only conducting criminal acts in Richmond county but also Attorney Carr said in Bullock County, Jefferson County, Columbia County, Burke County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Wilkes County and Cobb County,” said Roundtree.

Together, the 30 people associated with the ‘Trap Money’ gang are facing more than 300 charges for a range of crimes.

WATCH FULL ANNOUNCEMENT:

“We contend these individuals have conspired to obtain money, firearms, controlled substances, and other property by engaging in a pattern of criminal activity including aggravated assault, armed robbery, theft, illegal firearm transactions, and the possession and distribution of controlled substances,” said Carr.

And the fight doesn’t stop here.

“There’s more work to be done. There’s not a corner of our state that hasn’t been stricken by the deadly effects of fentanyl. Fentanyl knows no racial, geographic, or economic boundaries, and it’s killing Georgians at an alarming rate. That’s why we’re declaring war on fentanyl and we will continue fighting until there are no more deaths, no more tears, and no more heartache,” said Carr.

Of the 30 people the state attorney general indicted, 22 of them are behind bars, while eight are still wanted.

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Augusta, GA

Threat against Davidson Fine Arts Magnet deemed not credible

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Press Room

Threat against Davidson Fine Arts Magnet deemed not credible

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A heavy law enforcement presence was spotted at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Thursday morning.

Our News 12 crew on scene says around five Richmond County patrol cars and several Richmond County School Police were on scene around 11 a.m.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says they are assisting the Richmond County School System with securing the school after dispatch received a telephone threat involving the school.

After a thorough search of the campus, it was determined the threat was not credible, the school system says.

Normal operations resumed at 11:15 a.m.

School officials say students and staff remained in their classrooms and offices during the campus search. An increased police presence will remain on campus for the remainder of Thursday’s school day.

Around 12:15, the sheriff’s office said the investigation was turned over to the Richmond County School System.

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