||| by Susan McBain, Staff Reporter |||
Nuts-and-bolts details continued to be the focus of the Orcas Island Health Care District at its Sept. 1 meeting.
- The commissioners engaged the law firm of Chmelik, Sitkin and Davis to represent them in negotiations with Island Hospital (IH) on the contract to operate a medical practice on Orcas Island.
- The two District negotiators, commissioners Art Lange and Pegi Groundwater, will work with IH on a timeline for negotiations. IH had suggested a March date for launch of the clinic, but an earlier date might be possible. The least disruptive schedule for the staff would be a launch in January.
- Work on the clinic’s roofing and HVAC systems has begun. Additional upgrades needed include new gutters, new windows, painting, and a generator.
- The two existing clinics, Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) and the UW Neighborhood Clinic, submitted financial reports. OFHC’s financial situation is good, and it does not expect to need a subsidy for the period September 2020–March 2021. It has prepared a “wind- down” budget through March 2021, estimating potential expenses of about $25,000 to end its operations should negotiations with IH be successfully concluded. UW’s report for its
fiscal year ending June 2020 shows a year-end net loss of $801,000, compared with a budgeted loss of $683,000. It has not yet provided an estimate of its wind-down costs.
Finally, the commissioners voted to give a special recognition award of $10,000 to Superintendent Anne Presson. Board President Richard Fralick observed, “Since its inception more than two years ago, the Orcas Island Health Care District has made great progress in stabilizing and advancing delivery of health care services to our Orcas community. In no small
part this can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Anne Presson, our Hospital District Superintendent, who has graciously and professionally worked many extra, uncompensated hours to improve Orcas Island health care. Anne brings to the job a spirit of collaboration and a can-do- attitude that has exceeded our expectations. The Board chose to give Anne this special recognition award to acknowledge her extraordinary efforts. Our community has greatly
benefited by her endeavors and we thank her.”
The District’s next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. The Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on the District’s Meetings Calendar; click the link on Sept. 15 to attend.
Ms. Presson’s well-deserved merit bonus gives me occasion to ponder the OIHD. Health care on Orcas is a bit baffling to the untrained eye. On paper, Orcas might not be the best place to expect affordable availability of highly-specialized/low-use services. I suppose health care is always a densely-mixed public/private affair. I remember distinctly evaluating a lifetime of health care before moving to Orcas (along with schools, water, and fire response!). I respect the popular establishment of a hospital district (2nd try), and I’ll continue to support the clinic building. Family of four, 22 years. Thank you.