Olympic Medical Center: Healthcare on the Ballot
Nancy Stephanz is encouraging us to review and vote regarding the Hospital levy. Below is a letter she wrote to the editor of the Peninsula Daily News. Â
We also received a copy of a presentation by Scott Kennedy, MD Chief Medical Officer. Click on this LINK to view the slides.
Peninsula Daily News LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2 has placed a levy increase on the August ballot.
Over 80 percent of those Olympic Medical Center bills have Medicare or Medicaid insurance. Since OMCÂs finances have shown a loss of more than $20 million in 2022 and 2023, and is so far negative $8 million through April 2024, it is obvious this levy needs to pass.
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is sympathetic to the idea of increased reimbursement for ÂSole Community Hospitals like OMC but admits it will Âbe a heavy lift. Congress wonÂt act on this idea this year.
We need to buy time, and that is what the levy will do. Until Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements increase at the same rate as the cost of labor, supplies and drugs, hospitals like ours will struggle.
No one enjoys long waits in an emergency department. If OMC fails, the 70-75 people who daily are evaluated in its emergency department will have to travel elsewhere. Imagine how long the wait times will be then. We would have to travel for any tests and procedures that require a hospital.
Would any new businesses come here? How many health care professionals would leave Clallam County?
If you are tempted to cry ÂNot Another Tax and vote ÂNo, understand the consequences of doing so. If you are 62 or older, or are disabled, and make $46,000 or less a year, you can go to the assessorÂs office in the county courthouse and apply to be exempt from having to pay any levies.
Vote ÂYes.Â
Nancy Stephanz
Port Angeles
