Election Questionnaire: Public Hospital District 2, Position 5
By The Daily World, Aberdeen, Wash. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Some
Will becoming a public hospital district do enough to stabilize the hospital's finances? Does more need to be done?
Becoming a public hospital district is a step in the right direction. The fact is that over 70% of those who seek care at
Our community has lost multiple employers in recent years that provided private medical coverage which helped offset some of the uncompensated care in our community. The fiscal challenges the hospital currently faces occurred over the past few years and it will take some time to address these challenges and move to a more secure financial footing. We also need to continue working with our state representatives and the legislature to ensure they understand the needs of our community and partner with them address those needs.
Many
This is a large concern. We do have limited number of providers and we know that many primary care physicians are at or near retirement age. It is challenging to attract and retain health care providers in a community which is still doing it best to recover from the loss of so many family wage jobs. Many providers, especially those newly graduating are not interested in setting up an independent practice. They are seeking employment.
The only way
Some
The need for more services in some areas is a valid point -- but one without an easy solution. Medical buildings are expensive to build and maintain, and providers are in very short supply (see final question below). While I think it will be hard to expand services in the short run, I think we can get creative and consider ideas such as rotating doctors through existing clinics, and taking part in programs for new doctors doing their residency in rural areas.
Will becoming a public hospital district do enough to stabilize the hospital's finances? Does more need to be done?
Becoming a public hospital district will do more to stabilize the hospital's finances than any other option on the table, but no one can say if it will be enough because of other potential changes:
Many
I recently attended the
Some
I don't know that they are under-served. I believe that each individual has the right to seek medical attention wherever they wish, it is their choice. That being said, if it is truly the desire of the people of
Will becoming a public hospital district do enough to stabilize the hospital's finances? Does more need to be done?
I really doubt it. Many will find this peculiar coming from a candidate for Hospital Commissioner, but I don't think this is a good "fix" for the hospital's current financial situation nor do I believe it's good for the community. I believe that the situation may worsen if it passes. There are other avenues that should be explored prior to deciding on the
Lastly on this subject, there are Hospital Districts failing shortly after passage in
Many
That is a very good question. I believe that the people of
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