Below is a letter I wrote to Robert Bergan, president of Auburn Memorial Hospital Board:

I am writing you to express both my admiration and thanks to your professional emergency room staff and my shock and dismay at your billing department.

I visited the emergency room on April 5 for a laceration on my hand. I received excellent and prompt care and couldn't be happier with the result. The doctors, nurses, and administrative staff were always courteous and eager to make me feel at ease.

Before I was discharged, a staff member came in to summarize my treatment, insurance information, and billing information, as I was unsure what my co-pay was. I was assured I would receive a bill for the balance.

I received the bill today, over six months after the date of treatment. While I am happy to pay it, I am appalled at the delay of billing.

It is no wonder the hospital had to declare bankruptcy if this is the way the finances are run.

It is also disheartening that an organization as important to the community as Auburn Memorial Hospital (AMH) so recklessly disregards its own fiscal health, putting its very existence in danger, as well as the health of the residents of Auburn and the surrounding communities.

AMH is perhaps our most valuable community asset and should be treated as such.

I do hope steps will be taken to ensure prompt billing in the future.

I would recommend a thorough audit of AMH's entire financial structure, as this seemingly minor delay in billing could be indicative of a much more serious and pandemic problem with your financial department.

Ben Haith

Auburn