— from Norm Zimlich —
Friends, in the flood of bad pandemic news, have you have missed the historic GOOD NEWS about Orcas healthcare happening right now?
For the last 14 years Orcas has been served by three competing nonprofit MD practices, all financially challenged and unable to provide adequate after-hours care. No authority existed to require otherwise. But in 2018 Orcas finally passed a health care levy and elected Commissioners to manage the levy funds. They distributed the first levy funds equitably
between the three existing Orcas practices, pending further study.
Meanwhile the five-year contract between one provider, Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) and Island Hospital expired on 12/31/2016. Although Island Hospital could not subsidize the Orcas Medical Center (OMC) with hospital funds, it generously operated OMC for 18 more months until OMF contracted with the University of Washington to do so. In 2018 OMF ceded
the OMC facility, built in 1992 by Orcas donors, as well as the UW short-term contract to the Orcas Island Health Care District.
Following many months of transparent meetings, public comment opportunities, and analysis, the OIHCD Commissioners have concluded that they must channel future public levy funds to a single, efficient, unified primary practice, preferably one with an urgent care component. On
May 11, 2020 they published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consolidated Medical Clinic Operator at OMC. The RFP response deadline of June 21, 2020 might be extended, but in fact all Orcas health providers and potential bidders, particularly the current operator UW, have anticipated the RFP for many months.
This RFP is exactly what Orcas has long needed. Hundreds of Orcas islanders have generously donated sweat, time, and money over many years to arrive at this historic moment. Today Orcas has knowledgeable elected managers offering sustainable public funds for a unified primary and urgent care provider at OMC.
Thank you, Commissioners. Well done, and please stay the course!
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The commissioners have done a mountain of work on this and they deserve our praise and support. Their open meetings are impressive in the way they embrace and listen to the community. Than You commissioners!
Thanks, Norm. From my perspective, your words are both true and wise. I especially note your mention that although the current OIHCD medical services RFP deadline is June 21, it might be extended with good cause. So I say again to those who are circulating a petition to retain the services of the University of Washington, consider redirecting it to the leadership of UW Medicine. I for one would be pleased to sign it then.