You may have seen the recent front page headline in the Maryland Independent “Civista asks for loan to avoid bank default.” Headlines like this are good for selling papers, but can also cause concerns and anxiety for you and our community.

I want to reassure all of you that the hospital is not in financial jeopardy and not going bankrupt. The hospital is making the actual bond payment and all other financial obligations are being met. Civista has in excess of $100 Million annual revenues, and at the end of the 2008 fiscal year had $12 Million in cash, and $121 million in assets compared to $100 Million in liabilities for a positive net asset total of $22 million. This is not a picture of a distressed hospital. An entity with 12% of its annual operating revenue in cash, and with more than $20 million of net positive assets, is not going out of business.

In spite of the fact that Civista has a significant amount of cash on had, a larger amount is needed on December 31st, 2008 to meet certain conditions of a single bond covenant. I want to emphasize that Civista is not bankrupt or in any danger of approaching bankruptcy.

The request for an advance is for a short period of time, and there is no risk to the county or the taxpayers. The hospital is located on land owned by the county and leased to Civista. The county has loaned $15 million to Civista, which will be repaid in full and on time. The appeal to the county for a very short advance, which will be fully repaid within days, gives Civista the breathing room under the bond covenants, and we are confident that we can move forward together.

As we all know, we can provide excellent care to our patients in a safe family-centered environment and we can be proud of our many accomplishments.

Please direct any media inquiries to Linda Kandel at extension 4416.

Sincerely,

Christine M. Stefanides, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer