CHN questions posed to the boards: (Read ARMC's response below)

What aspects of ARMC's 5-, 10- and 20-year land use master plans would you agree to being studied by the planning committee? If limited to discussion of only those aspects which could reduce the impact of future growth and avoid the necessity of major intrusions in the 10- and 20-year plans, is ARMC willing to consider any changes in the 5-year plan?

Who will represent ARMC Inc. on the planning committee? How will ARMC representatives be given the authority to speak for ARMC? How will objective, "at-large" representatives be selected and mutually agreed upon?

If ARMC representatives are not authorized to speak for the governing boards of the hospital, how will the governing boards provide feedback to the planning committee during the planning process? How will agreements made with ARMC representatives rece ive the approval of ARMC, Inc. during the planning process? What assurance do we have that ARMC is willing to consider any substantive changes to any part of the land use master plan with the understanding that no change will compromise the quality of health care provided by ARMC?

If the planning committee cannot finish its agenda before September 1,1999, will the committee be allowed to continue discussions until its business is completed?

ARMC Response to CHN Questions

Citizens for Healthy Neighborhoods:

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify the position of the Hospital Authority regarding the planning process undertaken with your representatives.

At our meeting on May 12th, Carl Nichols proposed creating a special committee to extend planning discussions to include members of the Programs and Facilities Committee, representatives of Citizens for Healthy Neighborhoods (CHN), and designated community-at-large representatives. This special committee has been sanctioned by Boards of Trustees of the Hospital Authority, Athens Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and Athens Regional Health Services. Mr. Nichols, as Chairman of the Programs and Facilities Committee, has been designated to establish this special committee and to serve as liaison on behalf of the Boards. At the meeting on May 12th, Mr. Nichols clearly stated that the purpose of this special committee was to provide input on the 10-and 20-year plans. In subsequent meetings, in an effort to remain responsive to the requests of CHN, Mr. Nichols agreed to discuss concerns relative to the five-year plan. The Boards confirm that we will consider constructive input and minor modifications to the five-year plan provided they do not negatively impact or further delay the delivery of services to meet the immediate health care needs of our patients.

Mr. Nichols is prepared to meet as often as necessary to accommodate the special committee's agenda by September 1, 1999. During the summer, detailed planning for the Medical Services Building will continue as will preparations for the Loran Smith Cancer Care Center to keep the projects on schedule.

We wish to assure your members and our community that the Boards of the Hospital Authority, ARMC and ARHS are responsible for making sure that Athens Regional and its affiliates meet the health care needs of all the people we serve. While we will not relinquish that responsibility, we will work responsibly to understand the concerns of your organization; and we remain dedicated to continuing good faith proceedings for discussion and planning.

Respectfully,

Julian Franklin Chairman of Board of Directors, Athens Regional Medical Center Chairman, Hospital Authority of Clarke County

Howard Stroud Chairman of Board of Directors, Athens Regional Health Services

Carl Nichols Committee Chairman Programs and Facilities