Doctors unite

THE ISSUE

The medical societies in Colbert and Lauderdale counties have merged in a show of unity as debate continues over how the Shoals' two non-profit hospitals should operate in the future.

The Shoals took a commendable step toward solving a looming crisis in local health care when the two medical societies in Colbert and Lauderdale counties merged last week.

In a resolution approved Oct. 29, the Lauderdale County Medical Society and Colbert County Medical Society merged into a single entity.

Dr. Hisham Ba'albaki, a cardiologist with a practice in Florence, said this is the first move toward unifying the hospital boards to change local health care.

Florence-based Coffee Health Group and Sheffield-based Helen Keller Hospital are non-profit medical systems competing for patients and duplicating many services.

With Coffee struggling to repay millions of dollars in debt and considering an offer to sell its facilities to a private company, parties on both sides of the Tennessee River are talking about solutions. This includes discussion of a partnership between Coffee, Keller and, possibly, Huntsville Hospital.

"It's a critical time for health care in our area, and whatever decision is made will affect not just us, but our economy and our future for years to come," said Dr. Neal Clement, an orthopedist who practices in both counties.

Clement says officials must make decisions that will be best for local patients.

Among the doctors' goals are a single governing body with representation from physicians in both counties, curtailing the duplication of services and a financial strategy to establish a single modern medical center.

Most physicians support a facility that is locally owned, not-for-profit and led by local representatives of the community, one doctor said.

It's a courageous step for physicians, especially considering that a merger or partnership between Coffee and Keller could eliminate some local jobs in the medical profession.

We applaud these physicians for their courage and the leadership they are showing. Hopefully, their united voice will bring Coffee and Keller together to do what's best for citizens of the Shoals.