Bill Loughrey, who served two four year terms on the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority, wrote me last week with his thoughts on Grady.  I shared the letter with the Lieutenant Governor and key leaders of the General Assembly, and a copy made its way into the hands of the AJC.

Loughrey makes a number of interesting points and a couple serious allegations.  They all merit atttention and consideration.

One of Loughrey’s most troubling revelations concerns an independent audit apparently showing that Emory charged Grady for services that it did not perform or properly document.  As the lion’s share of the proposed Grady bailout — $45 million — would actually go to Emory, balancing the books between the two entities ought to be someone at Grady’s  top priority.  But Loughrey says that not only has Grady failed to act on the audit, it has kept the audit report secret for over two years at Emory’s insistence.

The dean of Emory’s medical school told a House study committee today that Loughrey has it wrong.  He says the audit points the finger at Grady, not Emory, although he adds that he has not seen the audit himself.

Getting to the truth of the matter should be easy enough.  I have been advised by Legislative Counsel that the audit is subject to the Open Records Act, and I have requested a copy.  If Grady complies with the law, it should be in my hands Wednesday.

But the issue here is much bigger than where the auditors laid the blame.  No one denies that Grady has very serious problems.  To survive, Grady must confront those problems, not hide them.

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