Clinic: Officials continue to plan cuts, community presentation

Wahkiakum County officials are continuing to plan ways to address a financial crisis at the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic and how they'll present information to the public in community forums next month.

Officials have started meeting weekly to work on the crisis. They expect the clinic to have a shortfall of $250,000 this year.

Officials knew when the county bought the clinic two years ago that it would have a potential annual shortfall of a $100,000, but costs have been higher than expected, said Treasurer Paula Holloway.

They've also experienced a decline in revenue from state managed county trust timberland that impacts all county budgets.

The clinic is carrying a $185,000 interest bearing loan from the county from last year. Holloway said that loan can be paid off with a new, interest free loan, which will save the cost of the interest.

So far, officials have identified about $83,000 in cuts they could make. These include some staff reductions, a cut in anticipated vacation staff replacement expense, reduction in lab work, and a possible reimbursement from the county Emergency Medical Services Fund for ambulance work.

Being able to show cuts is important, said commission Chair George Trott.

One possible funding source is a special tax levy, and Trott said that when he has asked people how they would support such a levy, they have replied they want to cut expenses before taxpayers are asked to increase their tax burden.

"They say, before you tax me, cut services first," Trott said.

Commissioner Tom Doumit said he had different feedback: People want the clinic's level of service maintained, even if other county programs must be trimmed to free funds for the clinic.

Rosedale resident Diane Knudsen commented to the board that the clinic is vital to the community's economic health as well as the residents' physical health.

She said she had surveyed 23 medical clinics in Longview, and none were taking new patients, so, Wahkiakum residents would have difficulty finding healthcare if the clinic closed

Also, without the clinic's health care services, much of the economic development taking place may come to an end because people and institutions won't want to invest in an area without health care.

"We agree with you," Holloway said. "We have discussed this before. All around the table, we want to keep it open. We're doing everything we can to keep it open."

Doumit said a major factor is that health insurance companies negotiate contracts with the clinic for reimbursement. The clinic reimbursement is averaging about 62 cents on the dollar, he said.

"They play hardball," he said. "They have clients they can deliver, and they tell us to take it or leave it. The insurers have a stranglehold on health care."

The officials will meet again next Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., in the commissioners' meeting room.

They are planning how they'll present information about the clinic and other issues at community forums April 10 at Johnson Park (Rosburg School) and April 24 in the River Street Meeting Room, Cathlamet. Both start at 6:30 p.m.