More hurdles to clear for UMC and El Paso Children’s
It’s been a long time in the works, but according to El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar, there’s still more to do before the El Paso Children’s Hospital bankruptcy and transition are complete.
Escobar has been closely involved in the case since the beginning, and said that with consultant debts, CEOs and new board members to sort out, there’s still a lot that remains to be settled between the county, University Medical Center and El Paso Children’s.
“What I’ve been told is that bankruptcy isn’t complete for another 90 days,” Escobar said.
While the bankruptcy dispute has been settled by El Paso Children’s basically becoming a subsidiary of UMC, the legal problems aren’t quite over – including how much former Children’s CEO Mark Herbers, his firm and more will get paid overall.
“Because there are still some hearings,” Escobar said. “There are hearings for example on the consultants fees and the attorney’s fees. Those final hearings have yet to take place.”
And while the county hopes those issues are settled for good once the hearings are over, the new Children’s board is still settling in and Escobar expects it’ll take a few months to get fully up to speed.
Amid those issues are two top-level vacancies: the CEOs of both UMC and El Paso Children’s. County commissioners won’t technically be involved in the selection of either, but with the head of UMC having a much bigger role with Children’s in the future, Escobar has high expectations for whoever it ends up being.
“It’s so important that everyone be able to work together and have positive working relationships,” Escobar said. “But also you need someone who can create accountability with stake holders and partners. So you need someone really strong but will work well with others. You need someone who understands state and federal reimbursements. You need someone with experience. It’s a tall order.
Escobar said that UMC board chair Steve DeGroat has indicated he’ll keep commissioners involved in the CEO selection process – possibly meeting with the finalists towards the end.
