by INFORUM
Sanford Health’s $10M arena gift one of several projects in area
September 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm in INFORUM
Sanford Health is on track to fulfill its commitment to community investments, the latest being a $10 million donation to remodel the Bison Sports Arena. Continue Reading
Wow.. great to hear that all those millions are just a tiny fraction for this non profit. I guess I should just be ashamed that the few thousand (after insurance)we owe them (for an unexpected emergency surgery) is a really big financial nightmare for us.
*runs to dictionary to double check definition of non profit*
But pfft.. whatever… they are only talking about millions upon millions here.. no biggy.. just pocket change people.
Great that they can be so giving.. but seriously do not ever ask me to donate even one dollar.. I have a feeling I have “donated” plenty.
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I knew before I opened the area voices that the dominate conversations would be negative. WAKE UP PEOPLE. This is a gift, or donation, or a handout, or a bribe, whogas, I don’t even care that he is giving to the buffalo barn, its still $$$$$ that aren’t taken from my paycheck. Maybe that’s the key here, I am glad that its not taken from my paycheck.
Whomever these guys are, I appreciate your gift. Next time you may want to donate and build a brothel, seems like a bunch of folks around here need a little stress reliever!!!!
GO SIOUX
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Thank you Sanford for investing in the city of Fargo. This is how capitalism works and will help grown our economy and create more jobs!
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How many bankruptcies, how many refused services and treatments, how many over charges does this represent for Sanford Health? Health Care is not like a greeting cards store or a clothing store where nobodies life is at stake.
People’s continuing good health and even their very survival depend on proper, affordable health care, such as other countries get with Single Payer, Universal Health Care.
It doesn’t look as if Sanford Health goes along with the affordable part. Your health should not be a commodity to sold to the highest bidder or traded on the stock exchange.
It looks as if neither NDSU President Dean Bresciani nor Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft really care about people, only their money. Typical capitalist, people are just for getting the work done the cheapest so the CEO’s can make the most money and have the biggest house and the prestige of giving $10,000,000 for a sport stadium to bolster their own ego’s.
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I agree with you completely. I’m troubled by a hospital/health care company donating millions to a sports complex. Hospitals should spend their/our money on health care, not on sports promotion. No wonder our health insurance premiums are going up with no end in sight. Sanford also gets tons of public money through Medicare, CHIP, and Medicaid, and yet they’re giving $10 million to a sports arena? That’s our money! This is why our health care system is not up to par with other countries.
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Yeah that’s how it works. Tax the sick.
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Hello Fargo? This is Satan calling. Thank you for selling your soul to me.
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meritcare ( i hate the sanford name hahaha) shouldn’t be in the business of giving millions away to a sports facility of all things. this gift sounds pure crazy and doesn’t make sense. Instead put that money towards lowering our medical expenses, our insurance premiums MIGHT go down. why not help people like DEB that struggle to pay their medical bills??? personally, i don’t pay insurance premiums and i have great coverage so i don’t end up with much of a bill but i feel for others not in my position. THIS GIFT IS PURE CRAZY!!! Meritcare and NDSU should be ashamed of themselves!!!
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Of course you pay for insurance premiums. I’m assuming you pay taxes to Medicare and Medicaid. Sanford gets hundreds of millions of dollars in funds from our taxes for those two programs.
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talk about a crying shame. shame on you meritcare and ndsu!!!!
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How about investing in something health related and will benefit the community? College sports are a huge waste of money and time. Way to go SANFORD! Has anyone ever read the sports section of the Forum? God, what a bore. I have never seen so many resources and time go toward people who play with balls.
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Let me guess… You wouldn’t be described as an “athletic” type guy. Am I right?
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Let me guess. You didn’t put too much effort in academics. Am I right?
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You’re wrong. My siblings and I all earned advanced degrees. I’m an engineer, one of my sisters is a doctor, and the other is a lawyer.
What was that you were saying about my lack of academics?
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I’d say maybe you didn’t learn very much.
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I’m not too concerned what you think, pal. Your opinion is not relevant.
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You seem to be yearning to be the one to clue us in on what we’re quite obviously overlooking.
Here’s your chance. Enlighten me.
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Wow, Bill
Did you not just state to me that I was being selfish for stating my opinion of how Sanford should spend their money and I do believe you also stated that other individuals were arrogant in stating their opinions… welcome to the selfish and arrogant group (by stating that yhnbgt opinion is not relevant, apparantly your’s is relevant – isn’t that a little selfish and arrogant?!)
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Why don’t you whip out your engineering calculator and tell us all how much money Sanford (non-profit?) could give away without affecting health care costs?
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Who’s we? Your the only one here that thinks Sanford giving away money is a good idea.
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“your’s” isn’t a word.
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Tammy, you misunderstood.
I said his opinion of me wasn’t relevant. That’s all. Calm down already.
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Bill. Tammy understood perfectly. Now has your calculator come up with an answer yet?
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“Who’s we? Your the only one here that thinks Sanford giving away money is a good idea.”
Now you’re putting words in my mouth that I never said.
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I’m not the kind of engineer that uses a calculator for anything, chief. And no, Tammy didn’t understand my statement, and apparently you didn’t either.
Must be your lack of academic success.
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Can’t be much of an engineer if you don’t use a calculator for anything (drive a train?). I use a calculator and I’m not even an engineer. BTW – The answer doesn’t even need a calculator to solve so I’ll give you a break.
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great point- something health related. the second i seen this on the news i thought something is wrong with this picture. it’s pure insanity. what are they doing with so much extra money??? they are milking us for medical expenses!!!! shame on meritcare and ndsu.
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Maybe Krabbenhoft should tour some of the patient rooms in the downtown hospital. I would rather that my increase in medical costs be spent on updating and improving patient rooms. My father spent over a month of his limited lifespan in a small patient room on the Cancer floor. The only seating available for him besides his bed was a dingy, dirty recliner that was so lumpy I (who am healthy) could not sit in it for more than 30 minutes at a time. Help the community by making your facilities better and your employees happier. I would pay for that.
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He needs to be a philanthropist whose donations are decided by public opinion? How selfish of you to attempt to dictate where he should donate money.
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Read the article. This wasn’t a personal donation from Mr. Sanford or his charitable foundation. This was a corporate gift which comes directly out of the company’s budget.
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Again, so what?
Why does the public get to decide where monetary donations go?
You all get to determine what the community needs and then think you can hijack the donation for that cause instead, or berate him for his choice?
How arrogant.
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There’s a health care debate?
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There’s no debate about letting the bush tax cuts expire either.
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You haven’t been paying much attention to the health care debate, have you?
Nontheless, that point is valid even if not in tune with the current political climate. They are a private company and they aren’t the only provider in town. The reason I am upset is that there is a double standard where the SOURCE of high health care costs get a free pass by The Forum while the companies that end up paying those costs but only account for a fraction of overall healthcare costs get lambasted at every opportunity, including after a reported suicide. It’s inexcusable.
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how arrogant of him to charge my wife $180 for a 5 minute doctor appt
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Yes it is selfish of me to state that for the over $500,000 that my father and his insurance company spent on his treatment that he have a decent room to live in for a month because he could not leave due to the cancer treatments.
As a spending customer of Sanford and Sanford using company money (money they acquired from customers), I will be selfish and state my unhappiness of their spending of the money they received from me. At the very least, I am maying a suggestion of another way they could benefit/support the community that would also help the company.
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his money comes from the public. AND when it envolves health care ( which is essential for everyone at sometime in everyones life), which can mean the difference btwn life or death or what kind of quality of life you have, WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT. just like we had something to say about BCBSND when they spent their money foolishly at the same time our premiums were go up.
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You mean you can shout at the wind. You don’t actually “get a say.”
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yeah, we had planty to say. the only reason why they listened is so they didn’t loose customers. Thats what they care about “their customers” ie the people giving them their fatty checks
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bill berditzman; I have read enough of your comments. You seem to think everyone should be able to do what you can and you put down everyone who cannot. the truth is that health care is going up for no reason when health care providers can give away money like Sanford health did. It makes no difference who got the money. It was not used for the benefit of health care.
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Sanford employess are facing large benefit cuts and this takeover will cost each employee hundreds of dollars each month just to maintain what they already have. Higher insurance premiums, cuts in retirement, loss of vacation time and other items. The plan is to provide care at the level of Mayo and other big name medicals centers, but to base pay and benefits on what Jamestown and Grand Forks have and other smaller facilities. If you are desiring to be the leader in health care, then treat your employees like valuable resources. Once your feet are on the ground, then look at what can be done in the community. The giving is already taking place everyday in the medical centers.
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You said it walker, Denny better realize you get what you pay for, that includes employees wages and bennies. Almost everyone in the area knows someone who works for Sanford or is affected. I say to the people show em with your pocket books what you think of the policies and reckless spending. They fly under the radar of a non profit. However when ridiculed for spending the money its now Denny Sanfords money and no longer the non profits money. Make up your minds. Either way as employees we are letting people know in the community what Sanford is about. For a non profit there is a lot of extra cash swirling around to bad they cant use it to take care of there employees in a responsible way. I also read something about bonuses. I have not seen any such thing. I suppose I can go to any of the Bison home games though and see it.
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When I say show em with your pocket books I mean check out Innovis or one of the private practice offices in the area for medical care. I go to a private practice and the service is great and I am not herded through the system.
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i say jsut don’t pay their greedy a$$es. Forward the bill to Mr. Sanford.
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Come on Forum, why don’t you describe this “lavish” spending as a “scandal?” It absolutely dwarfs the spending you teamed up with Adam Hamm to rail against (using those exact terms) concerning another local healthcare-related company. And this is just the stuff they publically crow about. Just imagine what you could find if you stole Sanford’s financial records like you did that other company. Why not make this scandal into a front page story and post their executive pay? Sadly, we all know you won’t ever do that, don’t we? I have my own opinion of why that is.
In case you haven’t noticed by the comments VonPinnon, people are finally starting to see right through what you attempt to call journalism.
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Good Job Sanford! Now we all know there are huge unstated profits in Health Organizations. Let the investigations begin.
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haha, if you switch to us, we will make a small donation to your facilities…
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Come on Forum, why don’t you describe this “lavish” spending as a “scandal?” It absolutely dwarfs the spending you teamed up with Adam Hamm to rail against (using those exact terms) concerning another local healthcare-related company. And this is just the stuff they publically crow about. Just imagine what you could find if you stole Sanford’s financial records like you did that other company. Why not make this scandal into a front page story and post their executive pay?
In case you haven’t noticed by the comments VonPinnon, people are finally starting to see right through what you attempt to call journalism.
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In my extensive experience with non-profit fundraising, those who give no gifts are the ones that shout the loudest. Put up or shut up.
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“61 For 61″ (fundraiser for the Roger Maris Cancer Center) took in about $173,000 this year. It would take more than 57 years at this giving level to equate to $10,000,000.00. A slap in the face to all those who donated.
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yes mr. meritcare why didn’t you give to the roger maris cancer center
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Wow good thing Sanford is a provider and not an insurer.
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Well Sanford is indeed a insurer as well. They have their own brand of health insurance. Just as Sanford is no MeritCare Sanford insurance is no BCBS.
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Shhhh, don’t wake up the Forum so they realize that Sanford is also an insurance company in ND.
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So if I have this right, Sanford Health is giving away millions but changes their employees healthcare coverage from a $250 deductible to $750 deductible. On top, the per pay period cost for the health plan has gone up significantly and when you need to have surgery YOU are required to pay $2200 out of pocket first then insurance will take over from there.
Ok…so basically if you are paying $3000 out of your paycheck per year for the health insurance coverage + $750 for deductible and if you need surgery that’s another $2200 = what the hell are we buying insurance for then?!
Sounds like some double-dipping for a few exec’s SUV’s and big houses and actual real vacations the rest of us poor people can’t afford.
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just what fargo needs – another sports facility!!!! this will have to be paid for by sick people.
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After just spending 5 days in his facility he needs to put some time and money into it instead. I could not believe the old equipment and run down condition of parts of the hospital. My room had peeling paint on the walls.
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This donation is WRONG. Last week, we gave thousands of dollars to 61 for 61 (Roger Maris Cancer Center) and Sanford donates it all back to NDSU? What about the Cares for Kids radiothon? How does everyone feel now about the money they just donated to 61 for 61? You can’t tell me Sanford “needs” any donations for ANYTHING anymore!!
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you’re right danielle – GREAT POINT!!! no money for them- PERIOD. would meritcare have been so heartless???? there’s no merit in sanford that’s for sure!!!
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Donating money to a sports facility doesnt determine health care prices ppl.
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Well they obvioulsy could have lowered the price for services if the prices they charge are enough to allow them to accumulate enough to donate $10 million. There are people who have a tough time paying for medical care which a lot of times is necessary. I am not by any means saying it is a right to have healthcare. I know it is a business and a service that requires people to pay for just as a auto mechanic etc. However when your a big employer/business in the area and you tell your work force you have to cut benifits freeze pay and then give super low raises that fall well below the cost of living increases to save money its just irresponsible. You are telling your employees and patients that were the Bison play basketball is more important than you and your families. Then they have the nerve to ask for donations for the cancer center etc. You are correct they can donate money to whatever they want. Just as patients and the citizens can choose to go to what ever clinic/hospital they want. No more donations from me and encourage anyone else that has donated in the past to hold out and donate to something more worthy and to something you know for sure where your money is going. These clowns dont need money for the cancer center etc they obvioulsy got plenty of coin. The only way to change the way a place like Sanford is run, is for them to lose clientel and lose donors for there pet projects. They were suppose to be great for the community so far they have not demonstrated any real good will. They have played politics and left the employees and patients feeling expendable.
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Liberterian – Show us how smart you are and tell us how much money Sanford could give away and not affect health care prices.
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The money given away was money from the infusion of money from sanford’s charitable giving when they took over Meritcare. It wasn’t from prevous exhorbitant profits Meritcare got from vulnerable sick people. If you recall Meritcare was broke. If Sanford wants to donate money,that was obtained originally outside of healthcare, to the Bison so what? I personally think T. Denny Sanford is an egomaniac and wants his name everywhere. I also think it is a bad PR move, but it is his/theirs to give where they please. Personally, me and my family use Innovis. Also, if you think Sanford is bad then go to the other options in town. This donation has no effect on your healthcare costs though.
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Tell us how much Sanford can give away before it has an effect on healthcare costs. The money is from a healthcare provider. They gave it away. If giving away money doesn’t affect healthcare prices, then they should give everyone in town some money. It won’t effect health care prices anyway.
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Par for the course. Nobody was watching as T. Denny Sanford raked in billions off of credit rehab sevices through his Premier Bank based in Sioux Falls. People are given credit cards by Premier when they’re down and out. $250 limits means they go over the limit the 1st day, miss a payment and interest rate jumps to 22% then higher. Sanford then donates $450 million to Sioux Valley hospital and renames it Sanford. The most you can say is the guilt of ripping off the poor has made them try and do damage control by rehabbing stadiums etc.
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Sanford donations are blood money. His credit card was ranked the worst in the US in the last Consumer Report. You get a credit line of $300, service fee and annual fee of $100 to start and that is at 19% interest. Then if they want, they can up your credit line to $500 and charge you $50, even if you didn’t want it. Anyone that supports this “man” and his “gifts” need to look where he is getting his wealth. Robs from the poor, then expects praise when he “donates” some of it back.
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http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/november/money/credit-card-gotchas/worst-credit-card/index.htm
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Good for Sanford! They’re investing so much money in the area, people should be ashamed complaining about it! A new YMCA fitness arena, a new bb court replacing a 40+ year old one….whats the harm in donating money to help the local college out? And maybe a new hospital in the area….these things are what is helping fargo grow as a community and bringing more people here….move out into the country if you don’t like new better facilities.
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Blain, you missed the point people were making on where all that money they were giving away came from and why are they giving away all that money when they are cutting salaries and benefits to their own employees.
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Oh as for that nice little insurance plan they sell…kinda like his credit cards….crappy
http://health.usnews.com/listings/health-plans/commercial/231
Ranked #222 out of 233 that had given enough information. 68.1 out of a 100…last i checked thats a D rank.
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The lack of business and math savy on this board blows me away!
NDSU used to give all their business to Innovis. An entire athletic departement is huge. Consider this: The football team alone has 85 players. Now figure in volleyball, 2 basketball teams, track, softball, baseball, golf, wrestling, club hockey, and soccer. That is an economy in itself. Big money!
Sanford wanted that business. They go to NDSU and the conversation probably sounded like this…
SANFORD: “Ya know. There is a ton of business available. We can do a better job than Innovis. What would it take to get that massive contract from you guys?”
NDSU “Innovis has a long tradition with us.”
Sanford: What have they done for you lately?
NDSU: “Uh, nothing.”
Sanford: How about we build a sports medicine facility that would be the best in the midwest?
NDSU: “Sounds good but probably not enough? I mean, Sanford will probably benefit more than NDSU. PLus the other colleges will use it. A new BSA is what we need.”
SANFORD: How does 10 million sound?
NDSU: “$%$# Innovis! Let’s do this!”
The bottom line…
NDSU is now giving that business to Sanford. How much money will Sanford make off of an entire athletic departement?
They will make the ten million back in profits. Plus they get some free advertising out of the deal.
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Part 2: “Wahh, they could have lowered my rates!!” or “Wahh, the employees are so underpaid!!”
Donation: $10,000,000
Employees: 17,400
$574 per employee. No tax write off.
But you can’t give the employees a raise and cut rates? Sanford has 1,250,000 patients per year. That doesn’t include Merticare either.
$10,0000 donation
1,250,000 patients
$8 per patient per year
Throw in Meritcare’s patients and it’s really nothing at all.
Throw in the new business they will get from NDSU athletics and they actually make money on the deal.
Oh plus it’s a tax write off to donate.
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