Grady Memorial Hospital private consultant makes big bucks

Grady Memorial Hospital has paid a consultant $1,600 a day for nearly two years to run its patient revenue department, flying her into town and paying for her Atlanta apartment, transportation, meals, and cable bills. Cheri Kane has been paid a total of $785,841 in fees and expenses from Grady since July 2007. Last year, the hospital paid her $378,400 in fees and $54,884 in expenses, for a total of $433,284, according to hospital records. Hospital officials say Kane's work boosts revenue and has been worth the cost. But some Grady advocates and healthcare experts have raised concerns about the longterm employment of a private consultant.