The issue of whether a new Butler Memorial Hospital should be built or whether the current hospital should be renovated and enlarged has understandably triggered various expressions of support and opposition, as well as a broad range of observations and comments. The question has stirred the emotions of people on both sides of the administration/board of trustees new-hospital proposal.

While the decision on how to proceed and how to pay for the project is of critical importance to the community, the situation, as it has been evolving, has been watched from beyond the county.

That also is understandable, since in the past Butler Memorial was eyed as a candidate for takeover by one of Pittsburgh's hospital conglomerates. To its credit, the local hospital avoided that fate and has continued to move forward without becoming affiliated with a big hospital network.

It's not wrong that others outside the Butler Memorial service area are watching, but they should not be trying to influence local decisions - especially when they have engaged in only rudimentary fact-finding and don't understand the full picture.

Whether county residents agree or disagree with the hospital board's and administration's stated desire to build a new hospital, most residents would agree that the decision should rest with the hospital and Butler County community, not outsiders.

On April 18, the Butler Eagle published a letter from M. Christine Whipple, executive director of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, which is a business-only, nonprofit coalition of 56 employers, including several in the Butler area. In that letter, Whipple, expressing her group's concern over "ever-increasing costs associated with health-care services," said PBGH members are concerned about the proposed building of a new hospital.

"Let's not add to the proliferation of costly treatment centers," Whipple said. "Let's focus our efforts on minimizing the need for them."

Responding to the Whipple letter, Joseph A. Stewart, Butler Memorial president and chief executive officer, said in a letter to the editor published April 23 that he "wrote some time ago to invite Whipple to come to Butler for the first time and see what we are doing and why there is a need for new facilities here so the people of Butler County can truly have 21st century care without leaving home."

"She has never come," Stewart said. "But the invitation is still open."

Whipple confirmed Monday morning that neither she nor any other leaders of her group had met with Butler Memorial officials to discuss Butler's hospital needs - or Stewart's opinion that a new hospital is the best available option. Saying she was busy preparing for a meeting, she declined to listen to excerpts from Stewart's letter for the purpose of comment.

Whether or not Stewart's opinion is ultimately chosen by the board, it's hard to disagree with his view, stated in the April 23 letter, that "health care close to home is a good investment for the community and a good investment for businesses that rely on healthy workers." The best approach to that is what is currently before the hospital and community.

Many people believe Stewart's observation can be achieved with enlargement and renovation of the existing hospital; many others feel a new hospital is the better choice for the long run.

The community should play a major role in charting the course that ultimately is selected. That point has been emphasized to the administration and board over the past several months.

But organizations predominantly from outside the area, including PBGH, should focus on hospitals in their own backyard and stay out of others', at least until they've done their research and really do know what they are talking about.

Despite its good intentions, PBGH was premature in getting involved in the hospital debate in which this community is engaged.

- J.R.K.