TOPEKA –
Governor
Sam Brownback and Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast today asked Attorney
General Derek Schmidt to examine the financial structure of St. Francis
Hospital of Topeka. Following a joint
meeting late Friday afternoon between Governor Brownback, Attorney
General Schmidt, and St. Francis medical personnel, Attorney General
Schmidt confirmed he will launch an inquiry aimed at ensuring the
charitable assets of St. Francis remain in Kansas.
The
hospital’s parent company maintains over $2 billion dollars in assets,
yet is seeking to “divest” St. Francis, possibly leading to its closure.
The Kansas roots of St.
Francis trace back to 1858 and the founding of Sisters of Charity of
Leavenworth which remains organized as a non-profit corporation under
the laws of the State of Kansas. The actions by Governor Brownback and
Attorney General Schmidt seek to protect Kansas-based
charitable assets from being improperly transferred from the state
leading to the closure of St. Francis.
“St.
Francis has benefited from its status as a Kansas charity for many
years, and it is important to make certain that such charitable assets
are properly managed and remain
in Kansas,” said Governor Brownback. “The charitable assets should
stay here for the benefit of Kansans, to serve their stated mission of
improving the health of those who are poor and vulnerable. Northeast
Kansas needs the medical services St. Francis provides.”
The office of the Attorney General has the authority to safeguard Kansas charities.
“Any
decision by its out-of-state owners that would fail to maintain full
operations of Saint Francis Hospital would be deeply troubling,” Schmidt
said. “The absence of meaningful
consultation with local leaders compounds the concern, particularly in
light of the considerable benefits the people of Kansas have bestowed on
this charitable operation over the years.”
Topeka
Mayor Larry Wolgast emphasized the importance of St. Francis to the
health and economy of Topeka and surrounding communities.
“I
share Governor Brownback and the Attorney General’s deep concern that
the charitable assets of St. Francis Hospital, a hospital that met the
health care needs of our community
for so long, will be improperly removed from the people it serves,”
Wolgast said. “I welcome the action the Attorney General is taking. St.
Francis has been a vital part of this city and northeast Kansas for 159
years and has benefited by the non-profit status
the citizens of Kansas granted."
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