“Refecting Milan and South Gibson County since 1874” THE goldencircle.com Deadline for the ‘08 Ford Edge SE Stk#1702033A Mirror-Exchange MIRROR Letters to Santa section is Friday, December 9th. $9,573 EXCHANGE Price includes $399.50 Proc. Fee. Plus TTL A Product of Gibson County Publishing VOL. 51 NO. 32 Tuesday, December 6, 2016 $1 PER COPY Feds come down hard on Milan Health Care By Victor Parkins The CMS reported that ‘Imme- 4th survey, your Medicare provider diate Jeopardy’ to residents and agreement was terminated at 11:59 The CMS (Centers for Medicare staff was identified on November p.m. on November 27th.” and Medicaid Services) has ruled 4th while a survey by state workers The CMS placed an advertisement that Milan Health Care is out of took place at the facility. in the Mirror-Exchange on Novem- compliance of requirements estab- Immediate Jeopardy is a situa- ber 22nd to notify the public of the lished by the Secretary of Health tion in which the provider’s non- change. and Human Services. compliance has caused, or is likely The CMS alleges that MHC used As a result of the findings from to cause, serious injury, harm, im- unnecessary physical and chemi- the federal agency, Milan Health pairment, or death to a resident. cal restraints that placed specific Care can no longer accept insur- “The survey found that your fa- residents at great risk for inconti- ance payments from CMS for inpa- cility was not in substantial com- nence, skin breakdown, accidents, tient nursing services to residents pliance with the participation re- increased agitation and social iso- admitted after November 27th. All quirements, and that conditions in lation. payments from CMS will cease at your facility constituted ‘Immedi- Although Milan Health Care did the close of business on December ate Jeopardy’ to residents’ health not provide comments for this ar- 27th, 2016, according to a detailed, and safety and substandard quality ticle, it will reportedly close on 199 page report that was provided of care,” the document said. “The December 27th. MHC is required to the Mirror-Exchange. ‘Immediate Jeopardy’ was identi- to provide written notification to A letter from CMS dated Nov. fied to exist on March 31, 2016, residents of the facility or their le- NO MORE ADMISSIONS - All new admissions to Milan Health Care 18th that was addressed to MHC and is considered ongoing. Based gal representatives about the im- Center have been suspended by the state of Tennessee and the nursing Administrator John Simonton was on the findings of the November home can no longer receive payments from Medicare or Medicaid. titled, “Imposition Notice-On-Go- (Cont. on pg. 3) ing Immediate Jeopardy”. Director announces new Phinnessee enters Principal, Asst. Principal ‘best interest’ plea at Milan High School By Crystal Burns ‘Tis the Season MSSD School Board in Brief In an emotional ap- By Logan Watson pearance in Gibson County Circuit Court Milan High School is officially un- Monday, Shaun Phin- der new leadership for the immediate nessee entered an Al- future. ford or “best interest” Director of Schools Jonathan plea to avoid a jury trial Criswell made a formal announcement that was scheduled to at last Monday’s meeting of the MSSD start Wednesday. Board of Education, naming former Phinnessee, a former Phinnessee MHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Gibson County deputy Director Greg Scott as the school’s under former sheriff Chuck Arnold, new Interim Principal. was charged with one count of theft of Scott replaces former principal John $1,000 or more and one count of of- “Flipper” Burks, who was relieved of ficial misconduct. Phinnessee pled to his administrative duties at the school one count of theft under $500, a mis- earlier last month. Director Criswell demeanor, and received one year of su- stated that Burks has since been trans- pervised probation and judicial diver- ferred to an Academic Coach position within the MSSD. (Cont. on pg. 3) Joining Scott in the MHS front of- fice will be Guy Causey, who Criswell named Interim Assistant Principal. In Prevention Coalition addition to his new administrative du- ties, Causey will continue to serve as Health Summit tonight Milan High School’s Career and Tech- Prescription drug abuse is run- nical Education Director. ning rampant across the state of The Board made no statements about Criswell’s appointments during the Tennessee. According to a 2015 SANTA’S HELPERS - The crew of R&R Towing took third place in the Milan Christmas Parade’s vehicle study by the Centers for Disease meeting, but Board member Yolanda category with their miniature trucking rig, delivering candy and Christmas cheer to the hundreds gath- Lett did inquire as to whether or not Control, our state ranks second in ered along Main Street. Photo by Logan Watson. Scott’s new position would come with the nation for opioid prescribing an increase in pay. Director Criswell and fourth for overdose deaths, Milan celebrates the season with tree lighting, parade informed the Board that neither of the killing approximately 76 people By Logan Watson interim positions would be granted a per day. but still close to 100 residents lined the sidewalks and took photos with fam- salary increase. For that reason, the Milan Pre- sidewalks of Main Street, waiting for ilies in front of the tree. The Board also approved a grant It’s beginning to look a lot like the mayor to throw the switch on the vention Coalition and the City of “It’s was just so nice to see every- application request made by Tammy Christmas here in Milan. Wreaths city’s display. one gathered together to share the Milan will be partnering to host a Rushing and Natalie Alexander that and candy canes line the streets on The cool drizzle soon stopped and moment with their loved ones,” said would help teachers at Milan Elemen- Town Hall/Health Summit to dis- utility poles and homes shine bright the skies cleared long enough for the Mayor Beasley. “It really makes you cuss how best to combat the prob- tary improve the literacy skills of through the darkness like Christ’s crowd to join together in a few Christ- feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” their students. Rushing and Alexander lem in our community. love for us all. mas carols before the mayor began The following Thursday saw even requested that they be allowed to ap- The Town Hall/Health Summit Mayor B.W. Beasley began the his countdown. Once the display il- more gather together in the spirit of ply for the Tennessee Department of will be held tonight, December 6, at celebration of the season last Tues- luminated downtown, members of the the season for the city’s 25th Annual Education’s “Read to Be Ready” mini- the Hawkins-Whitby FEMA build- day night, holding the city’s first an- Milan Middle and High School bands Christmas parade. From Bancorp- grant, which would provide the MSSD ing in Downtown Milan at 6:00 nual Christmas tree lighting at City serenaded those in attendance with South to City Hall, wide-eyed chil- Hall. Rain and storms threatened to Christmas music as Santa and Mrs. dren eagerly anticipated the sights (Cont. on pg. 3) put a damper on the inaugural event, Claus greeted the children along the (Cont. on pg. 2) (Cont. on pg. 3) County employees undergo first random drug tests By Steve Short for the state program. Court Friday, and the tim- oversaw the testing. A list “Our insurance carrier ism and the illegal use of 64 employ- ing of the drug testing (9 am of employee names were came to the county commis- drugs lead to increased ac- Gibson Co. employees par- ees were tested - 12 noon) did not fit with submitted to a computer sion and Insurance Commit- cidents and medical claims ticipated in random drug Friday, about his schedule. Agee said he program, which randomly tee and pushed this,” said and can lead to the destruc- testing for the first time Dec. one fourth had been feeling “under the picked who would be tested. Mr. Pillow. “(The insurance tion of an employee’s health. 2 as part of the county’s ef- the total, said weather” but did not have The drug free policy says em- agent) said, ‘You’ve got a big Employees who abuse drugs fort to qualify for enrollment Pillow. One anything to hide related to ployees will undergo urinal- discount coming if you do and alcohol pose a danger in the state’s Tennessee Drug employee se- the test. ysis screening or hair testing this.’ We were able to save not only to themselves and Free Workplace program. lected did not “I didn’t decline or refuse to for drugs, such as: marijua- close to $14,000 in workers’ their fellow employees, but The county has been in the p articip at e , participate,” said Judge Agee. na, cocaine, amphetamines, comp premiums over a year. also to Gibson Co. property. program since spring 2016, because the Pillow “Friday just didn’t work out opiates, phencyclidine or There are costs associated In addition, the increased according to Finance Direc- employee was involved in for me. If they want to have abuse of drugs prescribed by with the drug testing, and cost medical costs incurred tor Greg Pillow. He said the court, Pillow said. me do it today (Monday), I’ll a physician. that reduces the savings. But by employees with untreated county has to test a percent- “As long as we’ve got do it. I’m fine with taking a Greg Pillow said the cost even if we break even, we are drug or alcohol problems, age of employees to qualify enough employees to hit our drug screen.