“Shouldn’t we be getting down to the Iron Horse?” Traynor said. “We don’t want anybody getting suspicious. This is a small town.”
“This will only take a moment,” Beaton promised. “What Caldwell and I did was brainstorm about how the consultants we hired came up with a capitation rate that has proved to be too low. What we realized was that we’d provided them with hospitalization statistics that CMV had given us. What no one remembered was that those statistics were based on experience CMV had with its own hospital in Rutland.”
“You think CMV gave us fraudulent numbers?” Traynor asked.
“No,” Beaton said. “But like all HMOs when they are dealing with their own hospitals, CMV has an economic incentive for their doctors to limit hospitalization, something the public has no idea about.”
“You mean like actual payments to the doctors?” Traynor asked.
“Exactly,” Beaton said. “It’s a bonus bribe. The more each doctor cuts his hospitalization rates the bigger the bonus. It’s very effective. Caldwell and I believe we can fashion a similar economic incentive here at Bartlet Community Hospital. The only problem is that we will have to fund it with some start-up capital. Once it’s operational, it will pay for itself by reducing hospitalization.”
“Sounds great,” Traynor said with enthusiasm. “Let’s pursue it. Maybe this kind of program, combined with DUM, will eliminate the red ink.”
“I’ll arrange a meeting with Charles Kelley to discuss it,” Beaton said as she got her coat.
“While we’re on the topic of utilization,” Beaton said as they started down the long hall toward the exit, “I hope to heaven that we’re not going to get the Certificate of Need for open-heart surgery. It’s crucial we don’t. We have to keep CMV sending their bypass patients to Boston.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Traynor said as he held the door open for Beaton. They passed out of the hospital into the lower parking area. “That was one of the reasons I was in Montpelier today. I’ve started some behind-the-scenes negative lobbying.”
“If we get that CON we’ll be looking at a lot more red ink,” Beaton warned.
They arrived at their respective cars which were parked side by side. Before he climbed behind the wheel, Traynor glanced around the dark parking area, particularly up toward the copse of trees that separated the lower lot from the upper.
“It’s darker out here than I remembered,” he called over to Beaton. “It’s like asking for trouble. We need those lights.”
“I’ll get right on it,” she promised.
“What a pain!” Traynor said. “With everything else we have to worry about, we’ve got to worry about a damn rapist. What are the details about last night’s episode?”
“It occurred about midnight,” Beaton said. “And this time it wasn’t a nurse. It was one of the volunteers, Marjorie Kleber.”
“The teacher?” Traynor asked.
“That’s right,” Beaton said. “Ever since she got sick herself she’s been doing a lot of volunteering on weekends.”
“How about the rapist?” Traynor asked.
“Same description: about six feet, wearing a ski mask. Ms. Kleber said he had handcuffs.”
“That’s a nice touch,” Traynor said. “How’d she get away?”
“It was just lucky,” Beaton said. “The night watchman just happened along while making his rounds.”
“Maybe we should beef up security,” Traynor suggested.
“That’s money we don’t have,” Beaton reminded him.
“Maybe I should talk to Wayne Robertson and see if the police can do any more,” Traynor said.
“I’ve already done that,” Beaton said. “But Robertson doesn’t have the manpower to have someone up here every night.”
“I wonder if Hodges really did know the rapist’s identity?”
“Do you think his disappearance could have had anything to do with his suspicions?” Beaton asked.
Traynor shrugged. “I hadn’t thought of that. I suppose it’s possible. He wasn’t one to keep his opinion to himself.”
“It’s a scary thought,” Beaton said.
“Indeed,” Traynor said. “Regardless, I want to be informed about any such assaults immediately. They can have disastrous consequences for the hospital. I especially don’t want any surprises at an executive board meeting. It makes me look bad.”
“I apologize,” Beaton said, “but I did try to call. From now on I’ll make sure you are informed.”