The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

June 21, 2007

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday ordered personnel cuts at the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic to help address a revenue shortfall expected to total nearly $250,000 this year.

Earlier this year as county officials began trying to deal with the projected deficit, commissioners said they would try to find $125,000 in their budgets to transfer to the clinic, while the clinic was to come up with a $125,000 cost savings.

The cuts came as response to a commission mandate to clinic Business Manager Kathy Patterson to implement some cost savings measures. Patterson said she would notify the personnel Tuesday or Wednesday.

Patterson said the staff reductions and implementation of a late fee and a requirement to copay at time of service should net about $34,000 for the rest of the year.

The cuts came as Patterson and county officials found some optimism for revenue generating possibilities.

Patterson and Commissioner George Trott reported that their research indicates the clinic could charge a subscriber or membership fee for its patients and raise over $100,000.

The major stumbling block, they said, would be if contract with health insurance providers prohibits their clients from paying the fee.

However, commissioners said, the fee would be voluntary and require a property tax.

Patterson and commissioners said they would continue to explore the proposal.

In response to election developments and news that the Wahkiakum Community Foundation is starting a fund driver to benefit the clinic, the board voted to cancel its planned advisory referendum ballot on the primary election. The board wanted to ask voters if they would support a measure to form a hospital district which would fund and operate the clinic.

The county will have no races on the primary ballot, so the county would be responsible for the entire election cost, estimated at $6,000.

Commissioner Tom Doumit added that there will be no debate over possible taxation to take away from the foundation fund drive.

Foundation Executive Director Karen Bertroch said the foundation will try to build an endowment which can help fund the clinic in perpetuity.