FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015 |
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Happy Independence Day. Do you remember why we celebrate? A7 We will not publish on Saturday in observance of the holiday and will resume on Sunday.
Newest ruling could mean Tuomey’s ‘death sentence’ 3 judges say hospital still must pay $237M BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com In a case that may have repercussions nationwide, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court decision in Drakeford v. Tuomey Healthcare System awarding damage and civil penalties totaling $237.4 million against Tuomey that may throw Sumter’s only hospital into bankruptcy. The three-judge panel unanimously rejected all of Tuomey’s arguments against the verdict, though Judge James A. Wynn Jr., in a concurring opinion, wrote of his concerns about
Downtown streetscape project in the works
the law the hospital is accused of violating and the effect on the hospital. “I am troubled by the picture this
THE PAST 10 YEARS
case paints,” Wynn wrote. “An impenetrably complex set of laws and regulations that will result in a likely death sentence for a community hospital in an already medically underserved area.” In response to the ruling, Tuomey said it remains committed to providing health care in the Sumter region. “We are disappointed,” LOGANTuomey President and OWENS CEO Michelle Logan-Owens said through a news release. “However, for over 100 years, we have been providing health care
You can read the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling at www.theitem.com. The following are some highlights of the hospital’s battle with the federal government: October 2005 Drakeford v. Tuomey Healthcare System Inc. filed. Dr. Michael Drakeford alleges that Tuomey offered him a contract that would require him to perform procedures only at Tuomey’s facilities. While he declined the offer and later told the federal government, 19 other physicians took the offer that, according to the federal government, created an illegal kickback system where the doctors received a percentage of the money the hospital would receive from Medicare and private insurance companies in referral fees. March 2010 First jury trial held. Tuomey is found guilty of violating Stark Law, legislation that governs
SEE RULING, PAGE A5
SEE TIMELINE, PAGE A5
A BACKCOUNTRY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com If you have recently driven down East Liberty Street, you have seen the bright orange barrels and the major construction taking place on the street. Sumter Downtown Manager Howie Owens said the construction is part of the city’s preparations for one of the final 2008 Penny for Progress projects. He said the city is replacing old water lines on East Liberty Street between North Main and Harvin streets before starting a streetscape project on the same stretch. Owens said work started June 23 and is expected to be complete at the beginning of next week. He said the streetscape project will mirror the improvements that were done on West Liberty including landscaping, sidewalks and traffic calming improvements. He said the construction company, Lee Construction of Sumter, is completing all of the infrastructure improvements before the resurfacing of East Liberty Street between North Main and Harvin streets.
SEE PROJECT, PAGE A6
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Sharon Huffstetler, holds her son Kai, 2, as he receives a high-five from re-enactor John Shipman during Sumter County Museum’s backcountry Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday. “It’s a historical look at the Fourth of July,” said Annie Rivers, executive director of the museum.
Visitors time travel to when freedom was new BY COLLYN TAYLOR intern@theitem.com If you walked into the back half of the Sumter County Museum on Wednesday night, you might have
thought you’d walked straight into a history book. People clad in colonial outfits were walking around holding toys from the 1700s, and a fire burned in a blacksmith’s shop as he talked to people
DEATHS, B6 Elizabeth Perry Dean I. Langston Glenda L. Justice Mary Lee D. Martin Jennifer S. Donald Carolyn Jones Butler Phillip S. Bunch
Bernard Gillis Martha Webb Enzor Anna T. Calligan Polly Berry Mingo Boone Jr. Vivian L. Gamble
about different things he makes. The smell of fire permeated the backwoods, carrying with it the smell of recently cooked sausage and bread.
SEE BACKCOUNTRY, PAGE A6
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STORMY DAY
2 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 219
Rather cloudy with a storm possible today, with more storms tonight HIGH 90, LOW 72
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