Rapid City Regional Hospital and Oncology Associates Agree to Contribute to the Bright Start Program

PIERRE, S.D.-    The State of South Dakota, Rapid City Regional Hospital and Oncology Associates, a group of oncology physicians in Rapid City, have jointly agreed to resolve issues involving a former lease arrangement between the hospital and the physicians.   

Under the agreement, the hospital and physicians will contribute $120,000 to the State in 2008, which will be used to fund two nurses for the Bright Start Program on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The nurses will provide services to pregnant women and their children to improve birth outcomes for at-risk pregnant women. The Bright Start Program has been shown to produce positive outcomes for at-risk pregnant women and their children.  These contributions are in addition to the wide range of health care services already provided by the hospital and physicians to residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

“This agreement is truly a win-win situation,” Attorney General Larry Long said. “It will provide a measurable benefit to the people of South Dakota.”

The agreement resolves issues relating to a 1991 lease arrangement between the hospital and the physicians.  The 1991 lease was dissolved in 2001 when the hospital and Oncology Associates entered into a revised professional services arrangement. The 2001 arrangement was reviewed and approved by federal regulators.  Both sides agree the 1991 lease caused no monetary damage or loss to the Medicaid program.

For additional information about this agreement, contact Sara Rabern at (605) 773-3215 or Pam Stillman-Rokusek at (605) 719-5630. For additional information about the Bright Start Program, contact Emily Currey at (605) 773-3165.