Six Basic Journalistic Questions | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: I first noticed this insightful commentary in the Beaufort Observer, so I asked John Murphy, who has been published previously in BCN, could I also publish this. These questions challenge an editorial in the Washington Daily News that was rather incredible in its brevity in supporting their position on stating that Beaufort County's politicians should withdraw their integrity from the bid process on the lease of BRHS now engaged by them (the Beaufort County Commissioners).

    Good journalistic reporting is supposed to answer the six basic questions: Who, What, Where, When, How and Why. Let's look at those same six questions in the context of the current hospital crisis here in Beaufort County.

    Who needs another PCMH when Greenville is less than an hour away? What we do need here is the continuation of the same high quality care we enjoy today, coupled with the capital improvements a qualified partner can bring to the table.

    What prompted the WDN to publish their recent editorials in favor of UHS? Do they have a source of expert knowledge in the form of an all-knowing consultant, or were their opinions based on inputs from their friends on the Committee of 100? We challenge them to print a statement to the effect they have thoroughly studied all of the proposals, spoken with our neighboring counties, analyzed patient satisfaction data, etc. as the basis of their editorial opinions.

    Where will the people of Beaufort County (and our neighboring counties) need to travel for their hospital services if UHS is selected to be the group to come in and take over the hospital? If that were to happen, nothing would stand in the way of their management requiring patients from Washington and the surrounding areas to travel to Greenville for their care while some administrator in an office in Pitt County back-fills our "surplus" beds with patients in certain departments from PCMH. This is one instance where our proximity to Greenville could turn into a liability rather than an advantage.

    Why is an S.E.I.U. attorney from Ohio camping out in the hospital boardroom, attending all of the meetings, conducting briefings to civic organizations about the supposed problems with certain for-profit health care firms, etc.? It is common knowledge that unions' primary concerns are for the welfare of their members and expanding their membership rolls. Why their sudden intense interest in the BRHS?

    How dare two of our county commissioners go on record, publicly stating their biases in favor of one potential lessee prior to the hospital board doing their due diligence as required by N.C. law, and only then presenting their recommendations to the County's elected governing body? In addition to being ashamed of themselves, they should recuse themselves from the final decision making vote as they've already demonstrated the fact they are hopelessly biased.

    When will the people of Beaufort County wake up and realize the rosy picture being painted by the advocates of UHS is flawed and leaves a significant number of questions in need of honest and truthful answers?