To the Editor:

I am a nurse with a long career in clinical care, academia and hospital administration. I live in Brunswick, where my family and I have used both Mid Coast and Parkview hospitals, and now I am angry.

My issue is: Whom is Mid Coast hospital administration trying to fool? Do they really think that thoughtful concerned people in this area will fall for their arguments about why they have full intent to absorb Parkview hospital in an aggressive takeover? It’s the same as forcing someone to marry you who does not want you.

In all the years I have lived in this community, I have constantly seen ill will and broken promises made to Parkview by Mid Coast.

They keep telling the community that their only goal is to control costs and provide better care. The truth is they are terrified patients in this area will be sent to CMMC in Lewiston.

Frankly, many people already go to the hospitals in Lewiston, to receive services not provided by our local ones.

There is ample room for two hospitals in Brunswick and the many communities they serve. People want options, and our choices will disappear if we have just one hospital in town.

There is a very special connection that Parkview has with our community, including it being a faith-based hospital, which is important to many people.

If Mid Coast is so intent on making healh care more affordable for all of us, they must focus on their own bottom line and allow Parkview to do the same.

We must not take anything for granted as the plans for Parkview to join with CMMC unfolds and Mid Coast opposes it. We must insist that both hospitals provide us with straightforward, honest dialogue and cost figures, and refuse to be swayed by rhetoric or scare tactics.

Linda M. Cronkhite, RN
Brunswick