BMH Board Backs CEO, Management Despite Allegations

While the Bingham Memorial Hospital board of directors says it is giving a strong vote of confidence to CEO Louis Kraml and senior managers, our station continues to hear concerns from past and present employees.

We obtained a BMH press release that was sent to the Idaho State Journal. In it, Lee Kniffen, chair of the board, said Kraml has brought great distinction to the hospital, as well as outstanding leadership.

But that leadership has been under scrutiny. Last week, numerous sources detailed a former manager’s scheme to use hospital time and equipment for his own profit. On Monday, our phone continued to ring with new stories and allegations that we’re looking into.

Our station also learned more about the relationship between BMH and Bingham county. A document from the Bingham County clerk’s office outlines payments made from BMH to the county.

The hospital pays the county a fixed fee of $150,000 a year and then five percent of excess earnings up to $150,000.

In 2008, that was more than $23,000, and in 2010, $150,000. But in 2009, instead of excess, there was a deficit of almost $50,000, so the county did not get a payment.

According to tax forms for 2009, that same year, Kraml made about $700,000 and Dr. Adam Wray, a dermatologist, closer to $730,000.

An executive session between county commissioners and BMH board of directors was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, but sources said two commissioners had been uninvited as of Monday night. Apparently, the only one allowed to attend is Cleone Jolley, who is an ex-officio member of the board.

Commissioners said they had planned to formally request a forensic audit of the hospital.