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A few months ago, Skyline Hospital ran a levy that was only 102 votes short of passing. The future of quality care in your community depends in part on this levy, which is why the Board of Commissioners has decided to run the levy again. We understand that some people were unclear about this M&O levy, and we apologize if we weren’t clear enough.
We have been asked a lot of questions. We wanted to be sure you got all the answers.
Why does Skyline Hospital need an M&O levy?
Skyline works hard to keep its prices fair and competitive. The public hospital does not get reimbursed for many of its services and provides significant charity care.
What will the levy funds be used for?
The renewed M&O Levy funds will be used to continue services including the maintenance of the federally mandated electronic health record technology. The levy will also help Skyline continue services that are beneficial to our patients but do not produce enough revenue to be self-sustaining.
What is EHR?
Electronic Health Records is a technology that gives you—or your doctor—access to all your records wherever you go. It helps to streamline the clinical decision-making process. The Federal American Recovery and Reinvestments Act of 2009 mandates that hospitals implement Electronic Health Records by 2012 in order to receive federal funding to aid with the implementation. EHR gives you access to all your records wherever you go. Improves accuracy in reporting, streamlines physicians decision-making process, and ensures your personal data follows you wherever you go.
What has the hospital done to reduce expenses in this economy?
Our managers have all taken a reduction in pay. We have trimmed hours of our staff to a minimum. We have not increased our staff even though our work load has increased. In short, we’re doing more with fewer people. The hospital has laid off employees and changes shifts of the staff to cut costs. All employees have been affected by these cuts in these tough economic times.
Why do I care about supporting my local hospital when there is another across the river?
Skyline Hospital is a locally supported public community hospital. Emergencies on this side of the river are directed to Skyline. In addition, dollars spent at Skyline go directly back into Klickitat County. Skyline Hospital employs 170 people who live, work, learn, shop, recreate, and pay taxes in our community. There is an annual payroll of $8,656,942.41 in 2010 at Skyline. The benefits for all employees ran $1,953,077.58.
What happens if we don’t renew this levy?
We may have to seriously reduce services, positions, and salaries which will adversely impact health and community services in many direct and indirect ways. Skyline currently employs 170 people, most reside—with their families—in this community.
What is the difference between the existing levy and the proposed one?
The new levy effective in 2012 would replace the existing one. It asks for 35 cents per $1000 assessed value (or 6.7 cents more than the current levy). For a $100,000 home, that means it is less than $7 increase per year. The current levy went into effect in 1997. You are currently assessed at a total of 57 cents for the community hospital (of which 28.3 cents for the M&O levy and 28.7 cents for the Emergency Medical Services levy). The 2011 levy just replaces the existing M&O levy.
Why should I vote for this levy if my doctor is from Hood River?
Any business that employs 170 people is good for the community’s economy. But more importantly, the hospital is in the business of saving lives. If you have a heart attack or a stroke, where minutes make a difference, you will be brought to Skyline.
Why did Skyline build the new wing and how is it paid for?
The new wing was required by the state to meet building and patient care codes. The new wing was paid for with revenue bonds which are being paid for with monthly hospital revenues.
What is the EMS Levy?
The EMS levy can be used to pay for pre-hospital emergency medical services, equipment and supplies. It is mainly used to pay for the Ambulance Services. In 2010, the hospital received $437,383 from the EMS Levy. In 2010, it cost $1.2 million to operate the ambulance service. After revenues and EMS tax levies are considered, the ambulance service lost $485,000. This loss is taken out of the hospital’s general operating revenue.
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