Letter: Claxton-Hepburn is worth saving!

To the editor,

On this year's list of "worthwhile things to do in 2026," I have "Do something positive to help keep Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center open for business." So, I've had a "SAVE CLAXTON-HEPBURN AND CARTHAGE AREA HOSPITAL" sign up in my yard for a few months now, to let passersby know we care.

I have also tried to keep up on the ever-evolving storyline of how the area's hospitals came to find themselves in their current predicament, which affects nearly all North Country residents, and many workers who are employed at those healthcare facilities. And, since I enjoy writing "letters to the editors" of our local newspapers, including The Advance-News, I am surely able to do that. In fact, you're reading one now.

You can do the same types of things yourself, which, combined, can help raise awareness of the current "hospital situation." But, there's something else that I've done which, if I can be so bold, I'd like to encourage you to do, as well.

I recently received an "Explanation of Benefits" letter from my health insurance provider for a medical procedure I had done several months ago at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. At the bottom of the "E.O.B." letter was an amount that was my "patient's share" of the costs. On my next trip to Ogdensburg, I visited the cashier's office of C-HMC with my checkbook in hand to pay up what I owed.

The nice lady working in the office that day was prepared to accept my check when I asked her about any other outstanding balances that might be due. She said, "Let me check." As she searched the computer files, I was able to confirm that most of the billing services for Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center are performed off-site. I figured as much because in the past, when calling with billing questions, I've spoken to some very capable folks who were hard at work in remote locations including my old stomping grounds, South Florida!

The cashier, whose office is at the hospital in Ogdensburg, was able to find a total of four bills with varying amounts due that were for past services, all legitimate, with the oldest going back nearly a year-and-a-half! I asked her, "How come I'm just being made aware of these now?" Her reply was basically, "I'm not sure."

I sincerely appreciate having a hospital within a thirty-minute drive, especially the one in which I was born (in the Southern wing, I like to claim) many years ago when it was known as A. Barton Hepburn Hospital. And, as an appreciative, and thankful, healthcare recipient, I gladly paid off my unpaid balances.

Maybe my writing that check allowed someone on staff to receive their paycheck that week? I dont know. Nor do I know if having an off-site billing department is one of the causes of the current problems facing Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Carthage Area Hospital. But, I do know that it felt good to "settle up" my account with my favorite local hospital, and I urge you to do the same. You'll get a really good feeling that comes from doing something more than just sticking yard signs on your lawn.

Respectfully submitted,

Dixie Dave Ellis

Hammond