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IATSE's International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 just sent out this email and accompanying "Setting The Record Straight" fact sheet to members about the Motion Picture & Television Fund and Foundation's unexpected announcement about the closure of the acute care hospital and long-term care nursing home. There are additional details here. (Though, like most everything IATSE, Poster puts the best spin possible on the bad situation.) I have more MPTF stories in coming days...
From: ICG Local 600
Date: January 23, 2009
Subject: Motion Picture Hospital and Longterm Care Facility UpdateJanuary 23, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A number of members have asked the Local questions about the recently announced closing of the Motion Picture Television Fund Hospital (the "hospital") and the Long Term Care (skilled nursing) facility, which is commonly referred to as a "nursing home."
First, let me explain that the Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF or "the Fund") is a completely separate entity governed by a completely separate board than that of the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans. The Fund is a charity completely dependent upon donations.
Second, the Hospital and Long Term Care (LTC) facility are not to be confused with the Motion Picture Home. The independent and assisted living residents of the retirement community on The Wasserman Campus are not in jeopardy. In fact, plans are underway to do some renovations to upgrade the Country House, the Ray & Fran Stark Villas, the Frances Goldwyn Lodge and hopefully to expand the facilities in the future. The Saban Center is fully functioning.
Having said this, let me explain what I believe is going on with the Motion Picture Television Fund.
First, the Fund Clinics (Woodland Hills, Toluca Lake, Bob Hope Health Center, Santa Clarita, Westside, and Canoga Park) are NOT the same thing as the Hospital. They are not affected by this decision and will continue to provide excellent healthcare to IATSE members. As always, we encourage you to utilize the CLINICS for your normal health care needs. In addition, Social Services, Eldercare Connection, MPTF Age Well Program, Palliative Care and the Saban Center are not affected.
Patients in the Long Term Care facility are not being abandoned. Each person is being assigned a MPTF social worker to personally help the families relocate their loved ones into other "community-based" private long term care facilities. The commitment to the patients, and to the entire industry community, is ongoing -- and it will continue providing service to them through newly created Community Care Teams. These teams will consist of physicians, nurse practitioners and social workers who will stay in touch and follow up with the patients after they have taken up residence in other long-term care facilities.
For the time being, the Woodland Hills Hospital will still be utilized for outpatient surgeries in conjunction with the Clinic.
Plans are also underway to have Harry's Haven licensed independently through the State of California. The Fund intends to continue operating its memory care facility and residents of Harry's Haven are not being moved at this time.
How this happened is, of course, a complicated discussion. But in the simplest of terms, the skyrocketing costs of health care in this country are draining the resources of the privately funded MPTF. The vast majority of patients in the hospital and Long Term Care facility were dependent upon government insurance programs (Medi-Cal/Medicare) whose reimbursement rates have not kept pace with fast-rising operating costs. In July, the State of California decreased MediCal funding by 8%. We all know the budgetary problems of our state - the State's not paying its bills. MPTF can no longer make up its shortfall by dipping into its investment reserves. Based on current projections, continuing to subsidize the hospital and LTC facility would likely exhaust available reserves within five years and threaten the entire system.
Heartbreakingly, roughly 290 jobs will be lost in this hospital and LTC phase-out. MPTF will re-assign some workers to new positions, but it represents roughly one-third of their hourly and managerial workers. MPTF will provide out-placement counseling and host job fairs in an effort to help these displaced workers find new employment.
Local 600 will be meeting with representatives of the Fund as well as representatives from other IATSE locals to do our best to work with the families of our former members, who are patients of LTC. We should all remember that during the Writers Guild Strike, the Fund donated more than two million dollars in financial assistance to IATSE and Teamster members in need; $109,000 was used to help Local 600 members.
For those of us who contribute to the Fund and consider it our most important charity, this is very sad news. Hopefully, this letter and the attached "Setting the Record Straight" provided by the Fund will give some clarity to this issue.
Fraternally,
Steven Poster
National President
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At least they’re not as hysterical as some of the other guilds/unions in this town
so they are planning to sell the site… ?
having run out of money ?
so… where did that go?
do we have accounts?
Your FACT Sheet misses some facts. There were other options. MPTF could have chosen to announce the problem and ask for help from the Industry, or gone an all out fundraiser for one year. SAVE the FUND Fundraiser. MPTF states it is in fine financial condition, so one year or more of effort would not have sunk the fund. Instead, the board made a decision and within weeks, the place came apart. Dropped on everyone like shock and awe. Miserably mis-managed. The Community Care Teams were not in place, they are only now scrambling to comply with the regulatory agencies. The closure of LTC affects not only the LTC patients, but every person now living on campus in any level of care, and each and every member of the industry who may have been eligible for this safety net if and when it was needed. Residents of the cottages were asked if they would have moved to campus without the full continuum of care. The answer is no. If someone in a cottage or Villa has a stroke or gets too sick to continue living there, they too will be out, and ‘relocated’. No friends nearby to visit them as they have now. The Wasserman campus was not yet entirely a resort community, but it will be if the decision is not reversed. MPTF is not relocating patients to compatible care, there is no comparable place where these residents can be among their own, or receive the level of care needed. MPTF is their home. I think this is an injustice and a betrayal,not to mention the harm being done to the weakest and most vulnerable people. When the going gets tough, you don’t take care of your own by evicting them. Come to campus, we will show you! The families are working to save the fund from its decision. The people in its care, and the motto has been damaged, by actions of the Fund.
This makes sense, doesn’t make it any less screwed up,but this is the battle for medical care that is being felt everywhere. Anyone on a film crew can tell you about all the empty hospitals we film in. They closed because the cost of doing business and payments are out of wack. Daniel Freeman in Inglewood, Northridge in Van Nuys, Scrubs is shot at the closed hospital on Riverside Dr. RFK by LAX, etc., etc..
Until the cost of medical care is reined in and payments for services are fair, this is going to continue. Even St.Joe’s in Burbank doesn’t run their own emergency room, it’s contracted out to some medical company.
I can’t believe I read that whole thing. First – they need a PR hack that can encapsulate their b.s. into a couple of paragraphs.
This is a smokescreen. The fact remains that the hospital and nursing home are evicting elderly, sick, dying people who have paid for their care in full, and continue to pay with their pensions, social security, and industry insurance.
That’s pretty much it in two paragraphs.
Richard
I hate to say it but not only is this unbelievable, it’s a bunch of BS. I was just at one of the patient meetings where Dr. Tillman, the CEO of the MPTF was there to explain to all of the residents what was being done to them. He said flat out that two hundred million dollars would not change the boards plans! And any monies donated to save long-term care will go elsewhere. The Boards vision of the future of the MPTF campus is that of an assisted living community. They are not out of money. In fact they want to build a bunch of high density condos as soon as they hospital is shut down! The current residents in long term are terrified. The normal rate of death there is four a month, seven have died just this week! The other resident are scared to tell any one if they”re sick and are refusing to go to the hospital because they are afraid that their name will be added t the list of those to be shipped off! This is so short sighted of Steven Poster, for $109,000 not only is he selling out the lives of those already patients but where the hell are the rest of us going to go when we reach that age! These patients sold their homes and donated the proceeds along with their pensions to the Fund on the contractual promise that they would be taken care of until the end of their lives regardless of their ability to pay. I understand that they have retained counsel and are going to fight this but that doesn’t change what the Boards are trying to do. The Motion Picture and Television fund hospital is not just some non profit somewhere! It belongs to all of us in this business, it’s our hospital, the Boards (there are two) and the Directors just run it for us. These people and their closed door meetings and half a million dollar salaries have got to go!
Um, isn’t the hospital the point of this whole thing? If the hospital goes, what’s the point of the rest of this thing?
It’s kind of like smashing the parrot to death then telling everyone what a wonderful (albeit empty) cage you have left. The point of the cage is the bird. Without the bird, the cage is useless.
Of course, this being Hollywood, they don’t understand that.
FACT: We take care of our own… no longer.
Steven Poster
National President
Your own statement above says:
NOT BEING MOVED AT THIS TIME
Plans are also underway to have Harry’s Haven licensed independently through the State of California. The Fund intends to continue operating its memory care facility and residents of Harry’s Haven are not being moved at this time.(What does that mean “at this time.”)
Could it be the end of the year after they eliminate the acute hospital patients and the health care workers.
Have you visited the so called community
based private health care centers.
If you are fortunate at the end of your days to have money left maybe you can upgrade living in the lap of luxury as you make it sound.
Poll your members and ask if they would be so gleeful as you make it, if one of their parents or grandparents was on the list being asked to leave.
Your statement below:
Long Term Care facility were dependent upon government insurance programs (Medi-Cal/Medicare) whose reimbursement rates have not kept pace with fast-rising operating costs. In July, the State of California decreased MediCal funding by 8%. We all know the budgetary problems of our state – the State’s not paying its bills.
To get medicade and admittance into the hospital you must have been void of your assets almost five years ahead of time. You would go into the center as a pauper. You more then likely went to an Estate Planning Attorney who advised you on how to do this.
Some attorneys they went to were undoubtedely referred
to by the hospital social worker staffs. This is where Isee a major conflict of interest. Did those lawyers,
firms,estate planners have any knowledge of the severe financial problems at the Hospital? Did’t they owe a duty to their client/patient to inform them of this fact. If they were not going to the acute center and just the normal portion of the facility, the acute center was the added security blanket that attracted these patient/clients Some fudiciary duty was owed by the hosptial and/or the lawyers to the client/patients/trustee of the estate.
Taking your 8% reduction in payments from the state does not translate into no money coming coming into the hospital
It seems to be a reduction not an elimination of
payments.
And as to your Statement and Setting the Record Straight, they appear to be two separate documents. The top is maybe one you wrote, and the bottom is a handout from somewhere. Did you check those fact personally?
RG
Don’t you people out there get that David Tillman’s administration has grossly mismanaged the financial responsibility of providing for the lives of EVERY resident on that campus? Not just the residents today, but also the residents of tomorrow. Make no mistake that it’s going to affect EVERYONE eligible in need of full health care from the MPTF. The residents that are now being evicted, are just the first victims to GO!
I was present in all meeting with Tillman and Seth Ellis, and it is crystal clear that everyone attending felt NO CONFIDENCE with their explanations or answers to valid questions. The board members MUST intervene quickly to save the future of the MPTF. Why does it take the lives of innocent helpless residents who earned the privilege of living their, and who will NEVER find the quality of care they are getting now, to change the MPTF Board members misguided decision? The board members have to stop and look at why they are willing to except the never ending litany of administrative excuses? BOARD MEMBERS, you all know that human life is more valuable than any dollar, please search for the TRUTH! Other facilities are still managing through this difficult economic struggle, please DON’T desert our future of the MPTF now. Look not from your administration, who has been taking huge salaries, but from the thousands that are in willing to give.
Clearly with new administration , the MPTF will be stronger than ever.
Respectfully,
Grace
This is my email response to Mr. Poster
I am a local 600 member:
The problem I have though is:
1. Jeffrey Katzenberg says it’s finacial ($10 million/year) in MPTF’s press release as you say also. That being said, Dr. Tillman, member or spokesman of the board, says that even if fund raising and donations were made to cover the costs, the board is still planning to close the facility. Why? So did Mr. Katzenburg lie in the press release? Why didn’t they ask for a pledge drive and donations in the last year? Dr. Tillman says they have no immediate plans for the facility, then why not continue LTC with donations and fund raising until such time as they have a plan. Just don’t accept new residents and let life and death take its course. My gut feeling is they do have plans for the facility. Tear this one down and put up some fancy new one and slap some large donors name on it. From what I’ve heard the Saban aquatic facility is barely used. These people, including my mother have paid their wealth down to zero with the unwritten promise that they could stay there for the rest of their lives. To say that doctors and social workers will be working on placing them somewhere is simply putting a Happy Face on it. They are not going to go to a facility that is as caring. It is going to be a urine smelling bed sore facility as most are. This is already taking its toll on patients and families that I personally have seen.
They are simply going to try to place them as fast and as simply as possible. It’s called “slash and burn”. This is a sad selfish state of affairs where they force this decision down our throats. “We take care of our own”—-BULL!
SOMETHING SMELLS VERY FISHY HERE or am I missing something.
Sadly concerned,
File a class action NOW!!!
The fact sheet that was reffered to above in “Pilot’s” blog came from the “facts” that MPTF quoted on their web site. Not from a union president looking out for our best needs. Can you trust what they say? Hey, Mr. union President, when Katzenberg has been trying to break the unions for years now, why do you not take a stand against the closing of the long term care facility and voice your own opinion so that we “can take care of our own”? Too nervous to stand proud and help those of us who have labored under the unions?
When Mr. Poster cites in his letter that only “100 people are being impacted by this closure”, he is clearly mistaken. This will immediately impact the well-being of the 130 or so residents AND their hundreds of family members AND the nearly 300 staff members who will lose their jobs AND potentially thousands of family members who benefit by their employment AND most importantly, it will affect generations of future industry members who will not have the benefit of this most precious resource. As I understand it the Fund currently has a 120 million dollar endowment. The entertainment industry is one, if not the most creative and generous industries on the planet… why would they arbitrarilly make a decision to close this facility before they’ve even made an effort to save it?
In response to “Setting The Record Straight”…
FACT: Closure of MPTF long-term care unit will greatly effect approx. 123 residents, (I was told originally 130, but have learned 7 of these residents have died since learning of the closure)
FACT: Many of the 123 residents have sold off their assets to come live at MPTF, and now will only qualify for substandard medi-cal & medi-care beds at aging, over crowded & under staffed facilities. Pay facilities are generally better equipped and better staffed and will likely be financially out of reach for the effected residents.
FACT: It will also effect hundreds if not thousand(s) of family members who’s loved ones reside at the units being closed.
FACT: It will put hundreds of staff members out of work in a failing economy, some of which have been employed by MPTF for over 30 years.
FACT: It will put ALL of the residents in assisted living in jeopardy of being relocated if they become sick or need 24 hour care.
FACT: Since learning of the closure 10 days ago, I have not received a single phone call from a social worker or staff member to explain what their plans are for my family member, despite numerous attempts to contact them.
FACT: There is a huge public outcry to keep the facility open and raising the funds for this won’t be difficult, yet the board insists on shutting it down.
FACT: I have attended a group meeting Q&A led by Dr. Tillman and after hearing countless requests and un-answered questions by devastated family members and patients, I can only conclude that Dr. Tillman and the board are absolutely unwilling to “Take Care Of Our Own” as the slogan says.
FACT: It will be hard for anyone to imagine the careers and popularity of the board members behind the closure will have any significance in the future. This fight has only begun and when the dust has settled, there will be more negative press surrounding these individuals than George Bush could muster in 2 more terms. I believe the Hollywood term is black listed, but impeachment works too.
FACT: When first coming to MPTF we received a packet labeled:
“Welcome Home” followed by “Taking Care Of Our Own”
In absolutely no way, shape or form have we been notified of this travesty in a responsible manner, nor has any representative contacted us as the above “setting the record straight” article has indicated. ALL TOTAL BS!!
This is by no means “Taking Care Of Our Own”
FACT: You are F__ing with the wrong people.
This guy Steven Poster isn’t worth the time of day! He obviously has no clue what he’s talking about and is spewing the same crap and bs that Tillman is representing from the boards.
Maybe Poster has made a deal to rattle this crap off. Who knows!! All I know is he should not be representing any of those behind the line as he does not have their best interest at heart.
Members should demand this traitors resignation!
Once again…FILE A CLASS ACTION NOW!!!!!! Get ahold of the books! Get ahold to the Board Meeting’s transcripts! Put J.K., the Board and others on the stand! Find out what the REAL story is! UNDER OATH! Stop futzing around!
be assured, it is already happening and will be handled in the speediest, most professional manner. we cannot afford to screw this up by pulling the trigger prematurely (unlike our counterparts)
I would like to thank all of you for your vital support- please keep it coming so that justice will prevail
The fight is on and we will win!!
I have nothing to do with the unions in the industry, but I am the sister of a patient in the long-term care hospital. My brother worked for the industry for nearly 38 years and now at age 65 suffers from Alzheimer’s. I’ve been to all the meetings, heard all the speeches by the Board representatives and seen how poorly this entire situation has been handled and now they have you fighting amongst your own – it even appears that they are now using the unions to deliver without question the same unsubstantiated information they handed out to us.
There is no excuse for the disrespectful way these dear people have been treated. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves for having these people represent probably the most important charity connected with your industry. Do you know that the CEO of the Fund, Dr. Tillman, is paid well over $600,000 including benefits and expenses? We will work every minute of every day to stop the eviction of all those who have had no voice in the decisions being make about their lives.
As an outsider I was absolutely appauled by the attitude and tone with which this message was delivered to myself and my family members – there was a complete lack of compassion, respect and understanding. I work for the public schools and all know what kind of financial problems we have been dealing with over the past year and continue to deal with. We are constantly communicating how we can cut costs, save money, save jobs etc. We have had many schools older than the MPH that needed retrofitting, and I’m sure that schools,like hospitals have the same rigid specifications – but we did it and we didn’t have to rip that school down.
They have made a HUGE mistake by not communicating over the past 2 years that they thought this was coming, but instead continued to accept new patients, 8 months ago – 4 months ago. Someone has to ask the questions – why would you do that if you have known for so long this was coming? The truth lies somewhere and we as family members owe it to our loved ones who have no voice, to find out all the answers.
QUESTION 1.
To Dr. Tillman and the Board: How many elderly at Long Term Care have died since the announcement, as compared to the number of deaths in a week from all of last year?
If our understanding is true that 7 residents have died in an approximate 7 day period since they were all told they must leave their homes.
Question 2.
Are any of the elderly deaths linked to stress and fear from learning they must leave their homes?
Some sources understanding of the situation believe there to be a connection.
Question 3.
Does Tillman and the Board have any fear of legal ramifications if deaths are the result of their behavior?
Question 4.
What is the name of the company that conducted the study and gathered the facts for the MPTF’s decision to close the Long Term Care facility?
This is my understanding,
As the investigation will unfold, an inside source with information will expose the truth of David Tillman’s administration. The Board will find the irresponsible parties, and bring them to justice. Administration actually could be faced with convictions. Due to the understanding that there have been deaths since the poorly delivered news of the MPTF’s decision to close the Long Term Care (LTC) nursing facility. Innocent helpless residents have been subjected to fear and anguish, because of Tillman’s coverup. People inside know the truth and are coming forth secretly. Look to see the names of those being terminated by our present administration. This is going to be very bad for the immediate outlook of the MPTF. In the long run, the three Boards that make “ALL” the ultimate decisions will be more hands-on with the power they give to future CEO’s. The Board needs a watchdog to keep an eye on the highly paid administrators they employ. The most important action to be taken is to stop the eviction and let the residents calm down! Tillman with his immediate partners, created the ability to sell all of the people OUT! And by “ALL”, I mean “ALL”. This has been going on for years, and several people knew it. Get ready because here it comes. Let’s hope for the “BIG” guys sake, they step up and take immediate action. So far since the release of the closure, NO word from any of the Board members. If this doesn’t get defused within the next 5 days, the Board members names are soon to become front page news. Then lets see who can smile at the residents being told which van to get in when they are being taken from their homes.
As one caregiver said, “I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY”!
Well it came. And for some inside employees, they say they KNOW why, and couldn’t believe it took this long for Tillmans’ administration to be exposed.
The boards should meet with the residents and families, and reach a solution to “Saving The Lives Of Our Own’.
It”s not too late.
Be patient, although it’s been quiet here, the storm is about to hit.
When it does, they’ll all be pointing fingers, and jumping ship. Could be a party stopper.
I just believe that this happening, where are all these rich people who owe their wealth to the industry. Shame on them for they are the guilty ones.