MYTH: Thousands of residents oppose BRMC

FACT: The "citizens" group opposing the hospital was founded and run by an Inova Loudoun Hospital employee and is funded primarily by Loudoun Hospital, not Broadlands residents. They claim to have thousands of supporters but refuse to provide a list of actual residents who support their plan to stop competition. At a recent comment session before the board of supervisors, only 25 of the groups members showed up along with attorney Rhonda Paice who now represents them. The reality is that Inova Loudoun Hospital is the main opposition to BRMC because they fear competition will reduce their profits.

MYTH: Competition isn't going to improve the long-term future of healthcare in Loudoun County.

FACT: It already has. Loudoun Hospital merged with Inova as a result of competition from BRMC and Inova is investing $200,000,000 into improving Inova Loudoun Hospital. The Federal Trade Commission blocked Inova from purchasing Prince William Hospital because it would reduce competition and be bad for consumers. Merriam Webster defines business competition as "the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms." Everyone knows that consumers benefit from robust competition and once BRMC is built, there will be a choice of healthcare providers and competition to bring new medical services and specialists here to Loudoun.

MYTH: For profit hospitals charge more than not-for-profit hospitals.

FACT: According to a 2007 report, Inova Loudoun Hospital had the highest dollars paid per admission of all northern Virginia hospitals.(1) The report showed that Reston Hospital (HCA) charged more than $600 LESS on average per admission than Inova Loudoun! The report showed that Inova Loudoun had a much higher net margin (11.40%) than Reston Hospital (2.57%). The report also showed that Reston Hospital had a better charity care rating than Inova Loudoun.
(1) Source Virginia Health Information

According to their web site, Inova posted operating income of $132,000,000 in 2007 while claiming not-for-profit status and avoiding millions in taxes.

MYTH: Route 50 is the right place to build the next hospital in Loudoun.

FACT: No company has applied for state approval to build a hospital on Rt. 50. Both Inova and HCA have stated they would not consider building a hospital on Rt. 50 for at least 10 to 15 years. IF BRMC IS NOT BUILT, WE WON'T HAVE A SECOND HOSPITAL IN LOUDOUN FOR AT LEAST A DECADE. As of today more than 50% of Loudoun residents leave Loudoun for healthcare. In 10 years our population is estimated to grow from 280,000 today to 388,000. WE CAN'T WAIT TEN OR 15 YEARS FOR A SECOND HOSPITAL.