Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:

Question: Regarding the kids fountain in Pack Square Park, Splasheville, it has been spectacular this spring, and now into summer. But lately I’ve noticed problems. It used to shoot high in the air – different patterns – and in the evening the streams of water light up, in various patterns. It really is a wonderful feature for that area, a real pleasure to observe, especially the hugely varied patterns of light in the evening. But lately, it’s a bit sad. A few days ago, the water streamed out of a couple nozzles in the morning, when it was not supposed to operate. And then, the high shooting streams of water became only about half as high. Then, a couple days later it quit, and they brought out sprinkler hoses for the kids. Can you find out what happened? And what is going to happen to fix this marvelous water feature and kid and parent attractor? A lot of us think this feature is special and needs to be working as soon as possible!

My answer: I'm really not so sure about this whole new, "Asheville: it's a bit sad!" tourism campaign the city has embarked on ...

Real answer: Sorry kids, the equipment is on the fritz again.

"Yes, unfortunately we have experienced some equipment difficulties," city of Asheville spokesperson Kim Miller said via email. "The popular interactive splash pad in Pack Square Park is expected to reopen in August, following replacement of essential components."

I asked for more details on what went wrong but didn't hear back by deadline. 

Miller did get a plug in for the city's "Pop-up water fun days that are scheduled at various locations for families in need of a cool down." You can find more information at  ashevillenc.gov. 

Splasheville, which is really popular with local families, has been tough to keep open in recent summers. In the summer of 2020, the city closed Splasheville and the city's pools because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March of 2021, the city embarked on a major repair of the facility, budgeted at $261,635. The work included replacement of plumbing, wiring and the control system, and repair or replacement of surface tiles and supporting gridwork.

Officials at the time said the work would mean fewer closures for maintenance, in the future. The water feature was supposed to open that spring, but the opening got pushed back to late July 2021.

The problem this year is not related to all the previous work. The upgrades were designed to decrease downtime, "but some components were not replaced based on the findings of the professional assessment," Miller said.

"Recently, the system that controls the splash pad's water shoots became inoperable.," Miller said. "Replacement parts have been ordered, and we hope to reopen Splashville in August so that local kids and families can enjoy it during the remaining warmer months."

Generally speaking, water features in any town are tough to keep going, as they run constantly and comprise a complicated mixture of electrical and plumbing functions. So, let's hope when Splasheville reopens in August, it's good for a long time — or at least until the end of this season.

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Question: Since 2021 a federal law has required hospitals to post and have a consumer-friendly price list. I searched both Mission and Advent's website and can find no such list. Are they out of compliance?

My answer: If you're having trouble sleeping, Mission and AdventHealth have just the price lists for you!   

Real answer: "The federal regulations require hospitals to post a shoppable, consumer-friendly list of services or a price estimator tool, and provide a machine-readable file containing five types of 'standard charges,'" Mission Health spokesperson Nancy Lindell said via email.

"Mission Health has completed our implementation of these requirements. Our hospital websites have a consumer-friendly Patient Payment Estimator tool that provides relevant information to help patients understand what their out-of-pocket costs may be for hospital care, including those that are uninsured..."

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You can find that at missionhealth.org.

"In addition, we have posted contracted rates with third party payers using one of the machine-readable file formats listed in the regulations to provide the five types of 'standard charges...," Lindell said.

You can find that at missionhealth.org and search "pricing transparency."

If you download the file, you'll have some exciting reading of just about everything a hospital can charge for.

I also checked with AdventHealth, which also has a webpage with similar information: adventhealth.com/pricelist.

AdventHealth spokeswoman Victoria Dunkle said they are "committed to price transparency and providing information to consumers that will help them make informed decisions before receiving elective services."

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"For AdventHealth Hendersonville, we have published a machine-readable file online containing payer-negotiated rates for payers and plans, and provided a price estimator tool for consumers to calculate their out-of-pocket costs for shoppable services as required by the CMS Price Transparency Rules," Dunkle said.

To be honest, if you can derive some useful information out of these lists, I salute you.

As we reported in February, a new report endorsed by the North Carolina Treasurer's office alleged all local hospitals, including HCA Healthcare-owned Mission Health in Asheville, and AdventHealth in Hendersonville, weren't complying with the federal regulation requiring prices to be clear and easily accessible.

Representatives from each organization denied the report's findings, claiming they're inaccurate.

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The federal price transparency rule went into effect Jan. 1, 2021. As we reported previously, it requires all U.S. hospitals to provide "clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide," according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, where the rule is delineated.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com