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Second CareStar helicopter coming
Comments 0 | Recommend 0MCH board declines Blue Cross proposal
A second CareStar helicopter will soon fly over the Permian Basin.
The new craft, announced at Tuesday's meeting of the Ector County Hospital District Board of Directors, will be based out of Fort Stockton, Medical Center Hospital Chief Executive Officer Bill Webster said.
"CareStar has been tremendously successful," he said. "This just adds to that."
The new craft will better serve oilfield areas south of Fort Stockton, as well as communities like Alpine, Marfa and Fort Davis, Webster said.
Med-Trans Corp., which is investing $3 million, will pay for the helicopter and crew, who will be Medical Center employees, Webster said.
Medical Center will pay for additional equipment and training.
The helicopter is expected to arrive in May, and be fully operational by July, Webster said.
Logistical issues like where the helicopter will be based in Fort Stockton and landing in Odessa when the other helicopter is on the helipad, still must be addressed.
"I think it's going to be instrumental in the growth of the area," Treg Manning, Med-Trans vice president of development, said.
The board also approved $11.09 million for a renovation of surgical suites in its operating room. The money includes a $6.19 million construction bid with J.C. Roberts Construction and $61,814 for asbestos abatement with ARI.
The day after dropping out of its provider network, the board voted down the latest offer by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas after a lengthy executive session. It keeps Medical Center out-of-network for Blue Cross services.
Before casting the only vote against rejecting the offer, District 1 Board Member Abraham Torres moved that the board accept the proposal from Blue Cross. He was unable to find a second for the motion.
Torres declined comment after the vote.
The hospital claims it is losing $1.9 million annually caring for Blue Cross patients.
The board also approved:
>> Canceling the May 10 board elections.
>> A $19,750 per month agreement for transitional pharmacy services for three months.
>> A $391,160 patient monitoring system.
>> A $79,197 neuroendoscopy set.
>> A tax abatement for Navasota Energy.
>> Naming Debbie Barnes and Margie Hernandez employees of the month.
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