Started by John Waugh
Oct 22, 2023
Oct 22, 2023
14
Stop with the Scare Tactics please
Oct 22, 2023
I posted recently about the language used by the Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) to present it's case for the Levy Lid Lift. I think I made the case, without biasing anyone as to how to vote, that the use of the word "regular" in the levy wording is incorrect and misleading. The word is not applicable to a levy fudge factor used in 2018 to set the initial LIHD dollar amount.
Regardless of the way one might vote, I truly wish the LIHD would not use what I see as scare tactics. The use of the word "regular" was just misleading, but the signs, examples shown here, I call scare tactics. If Proposition 1 doesn't pass, it doesn't mean PT and the clinic will go away. There might have to be restructuring and cost cutting. Perhaps we might have to go back to being a rural clinic, instead of an urban clinic as the UW demands. That would allow receiving quite a lot more dollars in Medicare payments.
There have been thought-out arguments on both sides of this topic, but IMHO the process is not helped by the kind of signage shown here. One of my earliest understandings of myself is that I refuse to live based on fear. My impression is that most Lopezians are similar. Without fear, decisions can be made in the heart. I trust Lopezians, and will respect whatever they decide with this vote...but please, stop with the fear tactics.
Regardless of the way one might vote, I truly wish the LIHD would not use what I see as scare tactics. The use of the word "regular" was just misleading, but the signs, examples shown here, I call scare tactics. If Proposition 1 doesn't pass, it doesn't mean PT and the clinic will go away. There might have to be restructuring and cost cutting. Perhaps we might have to go back to being a rural clinic, instead of an urban clinic as the UW demands. That would allow receiving quite a lot more dollars in Medicare payments.
There have been thought-out arguments on both sides of this topic, but IMHO the process is not helped by the kind of signage shown here. One of my earliest understandings of myself is that I refuse to live based on fear. My impression is that most Lopezians are similar. Without fear, decisions can be made in the heart. I trust Lopezians, and will respect whatever they decide with this vote...but please, stop with the fear tactics.
Comment by Corey Casper
Oct 25, 2023
Oct 25, 2023
11
I don't think it is incumbent on citizens to come up with alternatives to funding should the levy lift not pass; the hospital district commissioners are responsible for implementing the will of the people who elected them, whatever the results of the levy lift vote are. Cursory research (that unfortunately had to be undertaken by private citizens) has r ... Read All
Comment by Robert Buchholz
Oct 24, 2023
Oct 24, 2023
3
I think that your idea of an ombudsman is a good one. There is no process that cannot be improved and a neutral observer to hear both sides of an issue could go a long ways to resolve some of the issues heard in the Lopez community. Presently, there is a Stakeholders group consisting of representatives from UW Medicine, LIHD, LCHC, CWMA and YES meeting to di ... Read All
Comment by John Waugh
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 23, 2023
5
Thanks Bob. Your points are well made. I am not trying to impact the vote, but rather to make a point that methods were used that I don't feel are fair or open.
Lately I've heard various complaints about the workings of the clinic. Some of these have been aired on Lopez Rocks. These include ... Read All
Lately I've heard various complaints about the workings of the clinic. Some of these have been aired on Lopez Rocks. These include ... Read All
Comment by Robert Buchholz
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 23, 2023
1
What is your vision for the Clinic and Physical Therapy after the Reserves are exhausted if there is no Levy Lift?
Comment by Robert Buchholz
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 23, 2023
3
The LIHD is not responsible for any of the signs on Lopez urging passage of Proposition #1.
The YES Committee for Healthcare on Lopez is responsible for creating, funding and placing the signs using pictures of the Clinic and Physical Therapy buildings. The photos shown in the initial LopezRocks posting for this thread were of signs created and placed by private individuals expressing their support for Proposition #1. They had probably attended the LIHD briefings on 10/16 and 10/18. Data presented at these meetings showed that the LIHD is operating at a loss for 2023. If Proposition #1 does not pass, this loss will continue to grow and would need to be funded from LIHD Reserves. LIHD Reserves could be gone by 2026/2027. LIHD took the time to educate Lopezians on the state of Lopez Island Healthcare funding. No threats or scare tactics were involved.
Before the Reserves were gone, the LIHD would undoubtedly be forced to reduce its contributions to both the Clinic and Physical Therapy with subsequent reductions in service. This would run counter to feedback from Lopez residents who are requesting healthcare expansion.
While it might be possible to negotiate with a new Clinic Administrator other than UW Medicine, the 2016 definition of 'rural' vs 'urban' clinics no longer exists and there is no longer a substantial rural funding deferential. There is not a financial windfall for operating as a rural clinic under the existing Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels.
Maintaining current Lopez Island Healthcare levels requires passage of Proposition #1. This is true if UW Medicine is retained for the next three years of the current contract or if negations were to begin with a new Clinic Administrator. It is difficult to imagine a new Clinic Administrator would be willing to take on a Clinic that was operating at a loss.
We are Co-Chairs of the YES Committee for Healthcare on Lopez. We believe that passage of Proposition #1 is essential for retaining the current level and quality of Lopez Island Healthcare.
Bob Buchholz & Taya Higgins
The YES Committee for Healthcare on Lopez is responsible for creating, funding and placing the signs using pictures of the Clinic and Physical Therapy buildings. The photos shown in the initial LopezRocks posting for this thread were of signs created and placed by private individuals expressing their support for Proposition #1. They had probably attended the LIHD briefings on 10/16 and 10/18. Data presented at these meetings showed that the LIHD is operating at a loss for 2023. If Proposition #1 does not pass, this loss will continue to grow and would need to be funded from LIHD Reserves. LIHD Reserves could be gone by 2026/2027. LIHD took the time to educate Lopezians on the state of Lopez Island Healthcare funding. No threats or scare tactics were involved.
Before the Reserves were gone, the LIHD would undoubtedly be forced to reduce its contributions to both the Clinic and Physical Therapy with subsequent reductions in service. This would run counter to feedback from Lopez residents who are requesting healthcare expansion.
While it might be possible to negotiate with a new Clinic Administrator other than UW Medicine, the 2016 definition of 'rural' vs 'urban' clinics no longer exists and there is no longer a substantial rural funding deferential. There is not a financial windfall for operating as a rural clinic under the existing Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels.
Maintaining current Lopez Island Healthcare levels requires passage of Proposition #1. This is true if UW Medicine is retained for the next three years of the current contract or if negations were to begin with a new Clinic Administrator. It is difficult to imagine a new Clinic Administrator would be willing to take on a Clinic that was operating at a loss.
We are Co-Chairs of the YES Committee for Healthcare on Lopez. We believe that passage of Proposition #1 is essential for retaining the current level and quality of Lopez Island Healthcare.
Bob Buchholz & Taya Higgins
Comment by Lopez Island Hospital District
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 23, 2023
1
To be clear, these signs were not created, authorized, or posted by Lopez Island Hospital District. Please refer to our latest meeting materials for both a power point presentation and a recorded video of that meeting for further information on Proposition #1 and projected expenses.
https://lopezisl ... Read All
https://lopezisl ... Read All
Comment by Dan Post
Oct 22, 2023
Oct 22, 2023
6
At the Hospital District public meeting the board stated that they have a reserve of $600,000. So they can operate at current budgeting for several years. They will not shut down. But unfortunately scare tactics usually work.