| 1 - | Q | What will this project entail?
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| | A | This project is broad in scope and will have a positive impact on nearly every department at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County. Significant expansion or improvement will be seen in the emergency department, the operating room area, the medical surgical unit, and the obstetrics department. We will also be adding a renal dialysis unit.
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| 2 - | Q | Why is Memorial Healthcare Foundation raising money for a hospital that’s making a profit?
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| | A | Responsible business management policy requires that funds never be depleted, but that a "cushion" always be available to cover such things as emergency work, replacement of technology, or building repairs.
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| 3 - | Q | Why does a non-profit hospital make a profit? And who decides what to do with those profits?
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| | A | Profits are reported as retained earnings and are used for general operation of the Hospital. While the Hospital Administration makes recommendations regarding the use of profits, the final decisions rest with the Hospital Board.
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| 4 - | Q | Can the County "take or seize" funds raised by the Memorial Healthcare Foundation?
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| | A | No. The Foundation is a separate, independent 501(c)(3) organization over which the County has no control or authority.
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| 5 - | Q | Why doesn’t the County issue a bond for the Hospital’s upcoming capital project?
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| | A | The County will have a role through local borrowing. But like any entity, the County has limits on how much it can borrow. If the County maxed out its ability to borrow with this project, it would be unable to secure funds for other projects, such as infrastructure improvements.
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| 6 - | Q | Don’t county taxpayer dollars keep the Hospital running?
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| | A | No. Since the County assumed ownership of the Hospital in 1979, no tax dollars have ever been used to run the hospital.
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| 7 - | Q | Is Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County fiscally sound? Will it remain so after the project is completed?
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| | A | The Hospital is indeed fiscally sound, as evidenced by its yearly profits and the fact that it is self-sustaining; no tax dollars have ever been used to support it. With this project we will be able to provide even more and better services to our community, further enhancing the steady growth in utilization we’ve experienced the past several years.
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| 8 - | Q | People in outlying areas travel outside the county for health "Darlington’s" hospital?
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| | A | Our mission here is twofold. First, we want to improve our marketing efforts to help people realize the very high level of service already available at Memorial Hospital. Second, we want to improve what we offer so that patients now traveling to obtain certain specialized services will be able to get the same treatment closer to home. Our service area includes the whole of Lafayette County as well as surrounding counties and parts of northern Illinois. These changes will make us more effective in serving that entire community.
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| 9 - | Q | What is the Memorial Healthcare Foundation?
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| | A | The Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to render service to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County and its patients, and to assist Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in promoting the health and welfare of the community in accordance with the objectives established by the hospital.
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| 10 - | Q | What is the mission of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County?
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| | A | The mission of MHLC is to provide quality healthcare to Lafayette County and the surrounding area.
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| 11 - | Q | How many people are employed by the Hospital?
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| | A | The Hospital has 80 healthcare workers, and is affiliated with more than three dozen physicians and specialists. The Hospital has an annual payroll of nearly $2 million.
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| 12 - | Q | Why is there a need for this project?
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| | A | There are really three categories of need. First, we need to update our facilities to bring them into line with accepted practices. Second, we need to begin offering services for which patients must now travel, particularly renal dialysis. Third, we need to make improvements required by the state and federal governments if we are to remain a provider of Medicare and Medicaid services.
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| 13 - | Q | How much money is needed for this project, and where will it come from?
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| | A | The total cost is estimated to be slightly over $3 million. Of that, at least $750,000 will be contributed by campaign supporters. The Capital Campaign resulted from a unanimous vote of the Memorial Healthcare Foundation and received the support of the Hospital Board. The balance will come from conventional financing and the Hospital Building and Renovation Fund.
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| 14 - | Q | Who will be asked to support the Campaign?
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| | A | The Foundation Board of Directors and Hospital Trustees were first to be asked for financial support. They responded overwhelmingly with 100% participation. In addition, the medical staff and employees were asked to support the campaign to the best of their ability. Now the campaign is seeking support not only from individuals, but also from businesses, corporations, financial institutions, foundations, and organizations within the Hospital’s service area.
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| 15 - | Q | Why should these entities support this project?
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| | A | The quality of health care is a major component of quality of life. Beyond simple altruistic concern for our community, businesses find it easier to attract and retain quality employees when the community in which they operate has a high quality of life.
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| 16 - | Q | Who will solicit?
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| | A | Volunteers from our community will make personal calls to secure gifts and pledges. All solicitors will have made their own contributions before asking others to do so.
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| 17 - | Q | Are gifts tax deductible?
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| | A | Yes. The state of Wisconsin and the federal government encourage voluntary support of not-for-profit organizations through liberal deduction allowances. All gifts to the campaign are deductible to the extent allowed by state and federal laws.
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| 18 - | Q | How will gifts to the campaign be recognized?
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| | A | A list of donors will be published when the campaign is completed. Donors' names will also appear in press releases announcing the successful completion of the campaign. Donors will be recognized, as they wish, through publicity, publications, and commemorative opportunities.
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| 19 - | Q | Why is there an extended pledge period?
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| | A | The goal of $750,000 is too high to be reached with out-of-pocket cash gifts. A three-year pledge period makes it easier for donors to lend their maximum support to the project. It also makes it easier for them to take full advantage of tax laws regarding gifts to not-for-profit institutions.
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| 20 - | Q | When do my pledge payments begin?
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| | A | Your assistance is needed as soon as you are able to provide it, but the exact startup date is up to you. Please indicate your preference on your pledge card.
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| 21 - | Q | How much should I give?
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| | A | Only you can answer that question. In arriving at a figure, please consider the value of having state-of-the-art health care close to home. And don’t forget to talk with your accountant or tax professional so that the amount you choose gives maximum advantage for your circumstances.
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| 22 - | Q | Does the Memorial Healthcare Foundation accept gifts other than cash?
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| | A | Yes. The Foundation accepts gifts of stocks, bonds, insurance policies, real estate, personal property, grain, livestock production, works of art, or any item that may be converted to cash for the campaign. To make the most of this flexibility, donors are advised to seek direction from their tax counselors.
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| 23 - | Q | In the event of my death, is the pledge binding on my estate?
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| | A | Only if your personal representative elects it to be. Many donors consider creating a trust or making a bequest to fulfill their intentions and facilitate execution of their wills.
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| 24 - | Q | To whom do I make my checks payable?
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| | A | Please make your checks payable to Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
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| 25 - | Q | May I volunteer to help with this campaign?
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| | A | Your help is needed and appreciated. Please contact Tammie Evenstad at 608-776-4466 to find out how you can make a difference.
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