Press Releases

Date
09-17-2014

CMH Announces Levy

Community Memorial Hospital’s (CMH) Board of Trustees has approved a 5 year, 1.0 mil levy to be on the ballot in November. By statute, any tax monies are used for the operations of the hospital. CMH does not intend to use the tax funds in the general operating fund of the hospital. Instead, CMH intends to use the money for needed projects that the current margins do not allow. Michelle Waggoner, CEO, states “There are currently several overdue capital projects that the tax money could accomplish. All the tax money would be used for capital projects that our tax payers can see”. These projects may include: new roofs on the 1953 and 1956 buildings as well the roof over Healthfit, new beds in the emergency department (these were not new with the 2006 building), an upgrade in the fluoroscopy room, or other such projects.

There are many residents of Mark, Milford, and Hicksville townships who believe that the hospital is already tax supported which is not the case. The hospital generates revenue from patient volume and philanthropic gifts. All hospitals are facing a decrease in payment from insurance companies as well as an increase in unreimbursed care. CMH is no exception. CMH is actively evaluating its operations and streamlining its expenses in a response to these trends.

In the calendar year 2013, CMH provided $484,286 in charity care. CMH also wrote off $2,512,898 in bad debt and to the State’s HCAP program. HCAP stands for Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program and is a program based on a patient’s income. CMH also provided $250,000 in outreach programs. 

To understand the impact of this levy on the taxpayer, property owners should visit the Defiance Auditor’s website at www.defiance-county.com. Tax payers should click on the Auditor’s link (under Elected Officials), select Real Estate Search, and then search by the property owner’s name. Each parcel has a tax tab with a green box labeled “Click here to view proposed levy information for this parcel.” The amount of tax increase is available on that screen.

CMH is thankful for the community’s support over the past 61 years of operations. During that time, CMH has had four other tax levies. The last levy was in 1979. CMH will announce public information meetings during the month of October. These meetings will be open to the residents of Mark, Milford and Hicksville townships to answer questions about the proposed levy.


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