Shriner's Change

For years the Shriner's association has supported crippled children and never charged a dime nor billed insurance for treatment.

That is about to change.

The Shriners say they will keep a presence in all 22 cities where they provide care for children, but some of the facilities may be downgraded to outpatient surgical centers.

Shriners Hospitals for Children also will begin accepting insurance.

Even not for profit organizations cannot operate forever on donations. I wonder if other organizations, like St. Jude in Memphis will make changes as well.

Traditionally, the fraternal group has provided care free of charge and without billing insurance companies, but the new hospital CEO, Douglas Maxwell, says the nonprofit needs to change the way it does business.

The rising cost of medicine and a shrinking endowment forced the Shriners this week to look at revamping its hospital system to remain solvent.

I see this as a good thing. It is much better to scale back and increase their revenue sources rather than shuttering.

This is a change you can believe in.

Yes you can.