I am an actual employee of Aurora. Let me assure you that they cannot afford to be paying out that kind of money. Cutting jobs??? They have been losing employees for the last 2 years. Unless you are management they could not care less about you. Retirement matching and even overtime has gone out the window. Please think twice before you send your loved ones to these hospitals. St.Lukes has commercials on tv, but would you want your family at a facility which has one Cna for 24 patients? Their patient care is suffering because they won't hire where it is needed and they mistreat their employees. Most of the best nurses and aides have quit because they know they can be actually appreciated elsewhere. If I did not love my oncology patients I would gladly follow them. If not for better money then for respect for employees AND patients.

Gee buckyboy why isn’t it ok for public employees to earn high wages like the private sector employees. Here are some of your comments on what public employees earn.
“Employees in the private sector make the same concessions on their benefits and often to a greater degree than those in the public sector-so again, where does their sense of entitlement come from?”
They are CUTTING jobs from Aurora but Nestor keeps his millions – where does HIS sense of entitlement come from?
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“…as I see it-just seems that it's more than time for public employees to face the same realities that exist in the private sector-“
Why the double standard buckyboy? If what you say is true buckyboy, public employees should be able to earn as much as possible.
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“And it's about time that they go after all those union benefits-they're too generous , unsustainable and who exactly do you think pays for all these entitlements-“
Well, I’m not surprised you have trouble thinking. The dripping is not my envy but the gray matter leaking out your ears buckyboy.
Aurora is a not-for-profit entity. The more efficiently they operate, the more resources they have available to do what they are supposed to do – provide health care. Who do you think is paying Nestor’s severance package?

onedayatatime-so if your daughter had taken the 150K job I assume you would be feeling "outrage and disgust" at her "greed".And if she would stay in that job for 20+ years and managed to save a nice sum(in the millions) because of her dedication and hard work you would feel "outrage and disgust" at that too? Or are we to assume that she didn't work hard for 20+ years and she was just out to exploit the poor working class people of the world? I agree RAF-they all are dripping with envy as well as hypocrisy

You must be very proud of your daughter onedayatatime. I have no doubt she will be blessed by her experience and many will be blessed by her decision to give rather than take.

Per RAF "Your tossing of the word non-profit is meaningless when it comes to employees, the pay structure is nearly identical between them and for profit firms."
I beg to differ with you on that comment. Our daughter just received her master’s in International relations. She was offered a 3 year contract @150K/year by a private company. She went to work for a non-profit at 35K/yr. Identical pay structure for the same type job...I don't think so. This is probably causing heart attacks for conservatives, why she would do something I'm sure you consider foolish. There are greater rewards in life other that monetary compensation. She is improving hundreds of thousands of lives. RAF, you are mistaking jealousy and envy for outrage and disgust. I believe you are the one experiencing jealousy and envy, afterall we liberals/socialist don't measure the value of our lives in materialistic terms, which seems to be the only way capitalist view anything. You obviously condone and defend greed; there is no defense for that. From previous posts, I have gathered you consider yourself a Christian. How do you reconcile the two contradictory views? Jesus Christ was the ultimate liberal/socialist, who was outraged by what you consider justifiable capitalist policies.

2.2 million/year is more than fair compensation for what this man did. Accepting 8.2 additional as severance, is simply greed, knowing that it is causing a shortage in funds for the clinic to continue to do what it was founded for, to serve the less fortunate, not to provide huge paychecks for the administrators.

Were you going to make a point in relation to the article or are you intent on prattling on with more meaningless dribble?

"Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. --Albert Einstein"
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Was this the Albert E. quote you were referring to RAF? Am I to deduce that you have embraced this statement and make it a canon from which you derive your principles? Based on the reasoning used in a majority of your arguments, it's hard to argue this point.

"Greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth or goods with the intention to keep it for yourself."
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Thanks for the words from wiki. Ironically, greed is also the engine that drives performance in team sports; all want to be in first place but only one can. It is also the driving force in most relationships; why choose a mate you don't want for yourself.

The leftest view on a greed-less society has failed miserably in every socialist country that tried it. Pretending the reason this experiment failed was because it wasn't tried here is a classic definition for insanity; you won't find that one on wiki...hint, you'll need to look under comments made by Albert E.

"How does cutting 175 jobs and paying out $8.2 million to a departing employee meet those goals? But then I suspect you’ll reply with more inane comments about “leftists” and childish name calling rather than offering either conceptual or concrete reasoning for a non-profit paying out $8.2 million dollars in severance."
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It is painfully obvious you have no inclination on how a business operates. The highly paid employee is leaving his position. Upon departure the remaining salary not paid to this point is owed as part of the original agreement for his position/salary and has been carried forward on the books with this transaction pre-planned; an expense. The termination of future positions is no doubt a result of the current economy and business climate. Your tossing of the word non-profit is meaningless when it comes to employees, the pay structure is nearly identical between them and for profit firms.

Is there anything else you need explained or will you continue your pointless argument over what you think another persons pay should be?

"Mr. Nestor was also paid $8.2 million simply because he is leaving his job. How is that a return on investment,"
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It is obvious you failed to read the article, this was delayed compensation agreed to during his time of employment. Again your idea of ROE and his employers are different; yours being driven from a purely envious position.

Please do us all a favor grandys618 and examine the differences between a for-profit organization and not-for-profit organization. Oh, and you might want to do some research on Socialism. Your notion on that issue seems a bit misguided as well.

Mr. Nestor was paid $2.2 million in salary. That could certainly be considered a return on investment. Mr. Nestor was also paid $8.2 million simply because he is leaving his job. How is that a return on investment, RAF? Especially when you consider that Aurora plans to eliminate 175 jobs to control costs. Aurora is a non-profit organization and as such, does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders but instead uses them to help pursue its goals. What is Aurora’s goal as a healthcare provider?
In the “real world” shouldn’t surplus funds be retained for Aurora’s self-preservation, expansion and future plans? Or be used to supply the necessary staffing and equipment in an effort to offer the best possible care for their customers? Or even reducing costs because of increased efficiencies? How does cutting 175 jobs and paying out $8.2 million to a departing employee meet those goals? But then I suspect you’ll reply with more inane comments about “leftists” and childish name calling rather than offering either conceptual or concrete reasoning for a non-profit paying out $8.2 million dollars in severance.
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“…there has always been the opportunity for all, to achieve their own goals; for some that is wealth.”
Greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth or goods with the intention to keep it for yourself.
To you RAF, greed appears an action worthy of defending.

takes away the guilt of not paying the $10 bucks they sent to collections for my parents....

"You have offered no explanation as to why you think Mr. Nestor's compensation is fair"
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Simple, compensation in the real world is not based on what leftist think is fair. It's based on return on investment. Sad that you think another person's salary, in anyway is your business. If you were part owner or even a board member in his place of employment your opinion might have an audience. Since you aren't your opinion is just that of an envious dolt, acting out of your unwavering sense of jealousy; what others might have that you don't. In your eyes fair. Please explain where the role of government is based on what you think is fair.

"...to achieve their own goals; for some that is wealth."
Don't you really mean greed, RAF.
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"Interesting you declare corporations and the "rich " have tilted the economic scale. What scale would that be exactly? Perhaps you are unaware in our nations history, there has always been the opportunity for all, to achieve their own goals; for some that is wealth. Why do you have a problem with that?"
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FACT: Over the past 40 years, regardless of economic cycles, the rich have grown their wealth while the middle class and poor have lost wealth. Many will dispute why it happened but no one can dispute that it has happened.
In my opinion, it coincides with declining tax rates from the 1950's and reduced taxes on investment income. In addition, Corporations and the wealthy are able to advance legislation and policy decisions which favor their positions through campaign contributions and lobbying efforts.
FACT: In 1965 CEO pay was 24 times more than the wages of an average worker - as of 2005 CEO pay is 262 times higher.
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Check out the links:
http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/en...

http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesameric...

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-charts...

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/con...
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Not everyone has the ability to shop elsewhere for healthcare. As a healthcare provider AND not-for-profit entity the rules differ from that of other entities - and so should the compensation.
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You have offered no explanation as to why you think Mr. Nestor's compensation is fair given the fact Aurora now claims it must cut 175 jobs to control costs.

Two words today that you don't understand, first it was envious and now elitist. Btw, how has the search for the petroleum free keyboard going?

Interesting you declare corporations and the "rich " have tilted the economic scale. What scale would that be exactly? Perhaps you are unaware in our nations history, there has always been the opportunity for all, to achieve their own goals; for some that is wealth. Why do you have a problem with that?

As far as what aurora does with it's money if you don't like it shop elsewhere. I like their product and services.

Red your quote was not taken out of context, it was responded to...do you know the difference? I simply re-posted your words one comment section above where everyone can see your true context...cue the victim music.

"I don’t envy greed and I don’t begrudge anyone from earning..."
Typical RAF tactic, take a statement out of context to create a false supposition. Put that comment in context and you might better understand its intended meaning.

Corporations and the rich have tilted the economic scales in their desire to acquire and concentrate wealth. Mr. Nestor is just one among many who feel justified in taking more than their fair share at the expense of others. You seem to be the one with the “dripping” problem, RAF. I would suggest you see a doctor but I would avoid Aurora since their rates will probably be higher to support their excessive “golden parachute” packages. Non-profit organizations are supposed to use their surplus to help them reach their goals. They don’t share their earnings with owners or shareholders.
From July 2010: http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/ho...
“A California-wide survey of 118 nonprofit hospitals showed that base salary for CEOs averaged $514,000, according to Payers & Providers, a healthcare business publication. Add bonuses, retirement money, reimbursement for education costs, and expense accounts, and the average total compensation those CEOs raked in was $732,000.”
You expect others to share the pain of budget cuts but not a CEO. Face it RAF, you’re an elitist.

"Why do some believe that those who have wealth and/or hold positions of power are more deserving than others?"
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More deserving? Who exactly is stopping other employees from applying for the CEO position? As far as your claim of money in addition to his his salary the story clearly stated where it came from, and it was not a "requested" part of a severance package as you proclaim with dripping envy.

From the story: "the $8.2 million package included deferred and other compensation that accumulated over a 20-year career with Aurora."

Perhaps you would "feel" better if the compensation was not deferred and taken during the years when it was owed...

"I don’t envy greed and I don’t begrudge anyone from earning..."
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Yet, this sentence is in direct conflict with your other sentences...

Well I guess there will always be those who feel the wealthy and those in power deserve better treatment than the rest of us; that they have somehow earned or should receive more than others simply based on their financial standing or station in life. Some think my criticism must have something to do with envy but they completely miss the point. I don’t envy greed and I don’t begrudge anyone from earning a living, however I am critical of those who use their wealth and position of power to extract compensation at the expense of others. What exactly should Mr. Nestor be “rewarded” for – doing his job? Isn’t that why he was paid $1057.69 per hour? Was the $2.2 million per year just for showing up to work each day? Only an individual with an overly inflated sense of self importance could justify requesting an $8.2 million dollar severance package. As a non-profit health care provider, that’s $8.2 million which will NOT be reinvested in improving the health care offered their customers or improving their facilities or available to attract and hire highly skilled personnel. In fact, now this non-profit health care provider must eliminate 175 jobs. So the CEO laughs all the way to the bank while 175 others will soon join the unemployment line. Why do some believe that those who have wealth and/or hold positions of power are more deserving than others?

The dripping envy never stops.

Very interesting. Build beautiful and expensive new hospitals, pay a guy 8.2 mil, keep the 403b contribution frozen (probably permanetally) and whack 170 employees. makes sense to me !!! LOL

PanamaRed - Well said, couldn't have said it any better!

Oh yes, of course Mr. Nestor earned his $8 million dollar severance package, just as he earned his $2.2 million dollar salary. His annual salary alone would have paid for 48 employees earning $45,000 per year. His severance package would have provided 182 jobs at $45,000 per year. Just as I'm sure many of the other hundreds of Aurora workers, most earning 48 times LESS money than Mr. Nestor, played a significant role in Aurora's success. Mr. Nestor said,"I feel we did a very good job, and I've been rewarded for that." In fact, its estimated that 175 workers will have their jobs eliminated as their reward for Aurora's success. I suspect, however, they probably won't get the severance package Mr. Nestor "earned". I'm certain those whose jobs are being eliminated understand how difficult it is to tuck anything away for retirement earning only $2.2 million per year, so the $8.2 million was absolutely necessary for Mr. Nestor to enjoy his retirement years. I mean he EARNED it.

Sounds like Enron! Sickening.