The document discusses 10 myths about the closure of St. Vincent's Hospital and the truths that contradict these myths. The myths claim that St. Vincent's was run professionally, complied with the law in closing, and that an urgent care facility is equivalent to a hospital. However, the truths state that St. Vincent's was mismanaged, did not comply with regulations or file required documents, and that an urgent care cannot replace emergency services like an operating hospital. The document warns that if issues around transparency and compliance are not addressed, similar closures of important health facilities could occur again.

1. The Myths & Truths
on the Closure of

2. Myth 1
St. Vincent’s is a private
hospital and can close
at any time.

3. The TRUTH
•Not-For-Profit
•Public Health Law
•Administrative Regulations

4. Myth 2
St. Vincent’s was run
professionally by experts
in the medical field.

5. The TRUTH
•Run by outside consultants
•$10 million for 10 Executives
•Hundreds of Millions in
Consultants

6. Myth 3
St. Vincent’s Board of
Directors acted
responsibly.

7. The TRUTH
•Did not comply with Open
Meetings Law
•Actions taken in secret
•Refused to bring in
restructuring
team in 2009

8. Myth 4
St. Vincent’s complied with
the law in closing the
hospital.

9. The TRUTH
•Not-for-Profit
•Public Health Law
•Administrative Regulations
•“Hiding” in Bankruptcy

10. Myth 5
St. Vincent’s made public
disclosure of their financial
documents.

11. The TRUTH
•Failed to file with the AG for
years as required by law
•Never mentioned debts to
Public
Officials

12. Myth 6
St. Vincent’s was almost a
billion dollars in debt.

13. The TRUTH
•Shifting of assets in 2001
•St. Vincent’s absorbs all debt

14. Myth 7
An “urgent care” facility is as
good as a Hospital.

15. The TRUTH
•Not an emergency room
•No beds
•Duane Reade?

16. Myth 8
Department of Health fulfilled its
mandate to oversee the
operation of St. Vincent’s.

17. The TRUTH
•All actions cloaked in secrecy
•No documents released to
the public

18. Myth 9
The Charities Bureau at the
Attorney General’s Office
ensured that
St. Vincent’s complied with the
law.

19. The TRUTH
•Failed to file for three years
•Incomplete Filings
•“Not-for-Profit Enron”

20. Myth 10
This can’t happen again!

21. The TRUTH
•The future of Health Care if
we
don’t stop it.

22. Emergency Department Treatment
vs.
Urgent Care Treatment
You cannot have an emergency room without a hospital!
When you need to go to the When an Urgent Care Center can
Emergency Room: better meet your needs:
If you have a serious condition - stroke, • Minor burns or injuries
heart attack, severe bleeding, head • Sprains and strains
injury • Coughs, colds, and sore throats
or other major trauma don't take a • Ear infections
chance • Allergic reactions (non life-
with anything life threatening. The ER threatening)
is • Fever or flu-like symptoms
the best place for these and other • Rash or other skin irritations
critical
conditions, including: • Mild asthma
• Chest pain • Animal bites
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding or head trauma
• Loss of consciousness
• Sudden loss of vision or blurred
vision
• Heart attack
• Stroke