— by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues Reporter —

The Orcas Island Health Care District met just once in the month of February, reporting mostly incremental progress on its long-term plans for the Orcas medical care system. But one fact was glaringly clear: the current estimate to replace the roof of the clinic building in conjunction with the
HVAC system is unaffordable as designed.

The District owns the building in which the UW Neighborhood Clinic (UWNC) is operating, and the commissioners have known since the purchase that the roof needed replacement. The HVAC system,while functional, is beyond its lifetime and has known inadequacies. Following the advice of various experts on roofing, HVAC systems, and how they interact, the District commissioners sought to tie the two projects together. However, rather than fitting within the budgeted $450,000, the estimated cost has ballooned to $1.6 million. That bid came from two contractors through a statewide purchasing coalition for public entities called KCDA. The engineer who designed the HVAC system felt the bid was unreasonable, so the commissioners plan to open the job to additional bids, hoping some will be considerably lower. The plan may also need to be modified to include design changes, phased construction, or perhaps a more modest HVAC system. In any case, the commissioners hope to have the roof replaced this year.

The commissioners continue to study the options for partnering with existing medical service providers, as well as the impact of becoming either a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Provider-Based Rural Health Center (PB-RHC). Those designations have the potential to significantly improve reimbursements for Medicare and/or Medicaid patients, which constitute more than half of the Orcas patient population. Likely FQHC partners are still being identified. Several PB-RHCs are being considered,
among them Island Hospital and PeaceHealth. District Superintendent Anne Presson reported on a positive meeting with the new CEO of Island Hospital, Charles Hall, who impressed her with his understanding of medical issues on Orcas and his innovative thinking. Regional leaders at UWNC plan to meet with Island Hospital leaders in March; there may be a chance for collaboration between them, according to Presson.

The commissioners want to keep exploring possibilities with other PB-RHCs as well. Their goal is to prepare a Request for Proposal, one that addresses all commissioner questions and issues, and distribute it to possible partners by May.

The commissioners had hoped to have the two existing clinics, UWNC and Orcas Family Health Center, exchange visits, getting acquainted with each other’s practices in case they decide to work on a joint proposal. Schedules don’t allow a meeting in March, so Presson will try to work out a time in April.

The departure of a staff member at UWNC has created short-term difficulties in the lab. Currently, lab work will be conducted only when requested by a provider during a patient visit, and courtesy labs will be very limited. UWNC hopes to have all services restored in the next month.

The scheduled March 3 regular meeting will probably be postponed. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 17, 5 p.m., at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

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