>Hospitalization privatization explored
The Burlington County Board of Freeholders is exploring privatization options for its Buttonwood Hospital, citing rising costs.
The freeholders have been subsidizing the annual operating costs with taxpayer dollars the past seven years because of lower Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for its long-term care and psychiatric patients.
Last week, the Freeholders authorized a shared services agreement with the Burlington County Bridge Commission for assistance in exploring future options after recently receiving a consultant’s report on hospital finances. The commission has improvement authority power and also coordinates a shared services forum for the county and its municipalities, including refinancing capital debt. (Comegno, Gannett)