Heppner gazette-times., March 18, 1992, Page TEN, Image 10

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TEN - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 18, 1992
message from Morrow County
Medical Board
Covered wagons no longer plod the old Oregon trail, but
the spirit of those hardy pioneers remains evident among the
people who make their home within Morrow County. A spirit
characterized by hard work, self-reliance, and a strong sense of
community. Few county organizations better embody this
spirit than Morrow County’s health system.
County medical services consisting of two primary care
clinics, a small hospital and nursing home, a home health
agency, and a network of ambulances and rescue units are
distributed throughout the county based on need. These
services are staffed by caring, highly
trained county residents, several of whom
work on a voluntary basis. Patient fees
cover 85 percent of the total cost to
operate these services. The annual
medical fund levy provides the necessary
funds to balance the budget each year.
When county voters go to the polls this
March, we hope that the medical levy
once again receives strong support It is
absolutely necessary to preserve and
strengthen medical services that so many
of us depend upon. Let’s not go the way
of so many other rural counties in
America who have lost critically
important medical personnel and facilities
in recent years due to the lack of proper funding. These losses
have a devastating effect on the quality of life both in terms of
health and economics. Ours is a healthcare-system we can be
proud of. Let’s keep it that way!
county. Known in economic parlance as the “multiplier
effect,” it is estimated that for every dollar spent in
supporting Morrow’s healthcare services—either through
patient charges or from the tax levy—a $1.16 in eco­
nomic benefit to residents is produced.
Apart form the obvious economic value to the
county, the local healthcare system also provides an
immeasurable amount of “social benefit” to area
residents, according to the economist. How does one
measure the value of having ready access to primary care
or emergency services or a place for senior citizens to
reside when they can no longer care for themselves? In
the words of the economist, referring to the county’s
healthcare system, “You’re getting more out of it than
you’re putting in.”
Meet the Medical Board
lone
Boarciman
Heppner
Boarciman
Irrigon
Lexington
Heppner
Iirigon
Jackie Bergstrom, Chairperson
Roger Cash
Merle Cowett
John Hascall
Lori Pruitte
Bill Sheirbon
Paul Sumner
Vacant
For a listing of the upcoming Medical Board’s 1992
meeting schedule, contact Pioneer Memorial Hospital,
Administration, 564 East Pioneer Drive,
Heppner, Oregon 97836 or call (503) 676-9133.
Medical Fund Revenue Resources
Patient Revenue 85.13%
Accomplishments and Plans
Several important changes to Morrow County’s health
system have occurred during 1991. Under Dr. Robert Boss’
leadership, the clinic in Boarciman has been expanded and new
medical equipment acquired. A structure to house the
Boardman ambulance has also been constructed. Irrigon has a
new rescue vehicle and Heppner a new ambulance. Also, the
nursing home portion of the hospital was remodeled to comply
with current state and federal standards. In September, the
medical board contracted with Western Health Resources, a
non-profit healthcare management company with three other
Oregon hospital affiliates, to oversee day-to-day operations.
WHR immediately set about improving the hospital’s billing
system.
Taxes 13.33%
Donations, Grants &
AllOther 1.55%
Source of Tax Levy Funds
Residential Property
PGE Co-generation Plant
11% ^
_________________ _ _ ^ 59%
Plans are now underway to expand the Heppner clinic in
1992 to accommodate the busy practices of Dr.’s Jeanne and
Ed Baretta and to recruit additional medical providers for both
ends of the county. Ways to better meet the expanding needs
of our senior citizens are also being studied.
Public Input Sought
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With a motto of “Empowering Morrow County Citizens
to Make Decisions,” a group of concerned residents from
throughout the county have been diligently working to solicit
community input on the county’s healthcare system.
Sponsored by the medical board and officially called the
Morrow County Health Council, this volunteer group has
organized several advisory committees representing the
residential areas of Boarciman, lone, Irrigon, Lexington, and
Heppner. There are also committees comprised of representa­
tives from important economic and social sectors, including
the forest service, retail, agriculture, farm labor, healthcare,
education, religion, and senior citizens.
The Health Council is focusing on a list of issues raised
by citizens during open forums held twice this last summer at
both ends of the county. The Council plans to present a set of
findings and recommendations to the medical board at an
upcoming board meeting. Based on the quality of the groups’
efforts thus far, the work of the Health Council will no doubt
prove to be a valuable means of educating all of us about our
healthcare system, as well as making sure that our system is
responsive to the needs and desires of those it is designed to
serve.
Agricultural
Property 16%
Industrial 11%
Business Property
& Other 3%
Statement of Revenue and Expenses
for F Y 1990-91
Total Patient Charges &
Other Operating Revenue
3,104,886
Uncollected Amts. Due to G ovt (428,057)
Discounts, Charity, & Bad Debts
Net Operating Revenue
Available to Pay Bills
Less Expenses
Payroll
Supply
Utility
All Other
2,676,829
(1,785,861)
(810,473)
(24,285)
(404,168)
Total Expenses
( (3,024,787)
Net Operating Gain (Losm)
Plus Other Revenue
Donations, Grants &
Other Non Operating Funds
Tax Revenue
Total Non Operating Revenue Available
• Funds Available for Use in Capital Improvements
A Worthy Investment
Wouldn’t everyone like to experience a substantial
return on a investment? Residents using local healthcare
services and contributing to Morrow County’s annual tax levy
are. That’s the conclusion of an economist from the University
of Idaho who recently completed a study sponsored by
Morrow County’s Health Council.
According to the economist, the medical fund’s $3.1
million annual budget in 1990 (including tax levy funds)
generated about $3.6 million in total economic contribution to
Morrow County. This is because the clinics, the hospital and
nursing home, as well as the ambulance services and rescue
units spend a substantial portion of their annual budgets
compensating staff and buying goods and services within the
How Tax Levy Funds Were Used in
FY 1990-91
Boarciman Ambulance
16%
Imgon Rescue
Vehicle
13%
Heppner Clinic
18.1%
Boardman Clinic
36.9%
Hospital &
Nursing Home
16%
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