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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 1995)
« a riM M M M M H M M i FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 20, 1995 Doesn't north end deserve the best Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES U.S.P S 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Oymied Weekly Newspaper Published weekly and entered as second-class matter at the Post Of fice at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3. 1879. Second class postage paid at Heppner. Oregon. Office at 147 West Willow Street. Telephone (503) 676-9228. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $18 in Morrow. Wheeler, Gilliam and Grant Coun ties: $26 elsewhere. Joyce H u g h es....................................... Office Manager. Typesetting April H ilton-Sykes............................................................. News Editor Stephanie Jensen . ^............................................................ Typesetting Monique Devin...................................Advertising layout & Graphics Susan Hansen........................................................................Distribution Penni K eersem aker......................................................................Printer David and April Hilton-Sykes, Publishers Letters to the Editor X-ray equipment not "state-of-the-art" To the Editor: I am writing this letter in response to Cheryl Rietmann's letter of Aug. 31. Her statement that the Boardman Health Care Center (BHCC) has "state-of- the-art'' equipment is incorrect. I have worked at the clinic in Boardman for over 15 years. The x-ray equipment is over 17 years old, the same age as the equipment replaced recently at Pioneer Memorial Hospital. The laboratory equipment is over five years old, as is most of the other equipment. The dictionary defines "state-of- the-art" as "the current level of sophistication of a developing technology". While the clinic equipment has been adequate it is not "state-of-the-art". I am hopeful that the county wide Medical Board will have as its mandate quality care for all of the residents of Morrow County. In that endeavor I hope everyone keeps in mind the different needs of our communities. The Pioneer Memorial Hospital and the clinic share many services thereby decreas ing the cost, in overhead, to the Pioneer Memorial Clinic. Here in Boardman the near est X-raty and lab facilities are 25 miles away. Many times it saves the patient and the doc tor time and money to have that X-ray or lab report during a patient's visit. Diabetics, pa tients on coumadin or hyper tensive medications can have results at their visits. The ap propriate medicine adjust ments can be discussed with the patient in person assuring their understanding of critical medication adjustments. The BHCC lab, as in most single physician's offices, can not make expenses. With the current federal requirements for licensing, proficiency and quality assurance, the BHCC lab is in the red. However, Dr. Boss requires this service for him self and his patients because he does not wish to compromise the care of his pa tients just because they live in a rural area. Just as the physicians at PMH have provided continuity of quality health care to their com munity, so has Dr. Boss. Dr. Boss has established himself in Boardman. He has provided the longest term of service in the history of the clinic and pro vides service to both the Hispanic and Caucasian com munity as he is bilingual. It's time now with the new Medical District for all of us to provide all of our communities with quality medical care meeting each community's needs and desires. (s) Sharron Meyers, RN Boardman r I ife w ay n to su rance I | It's an inexpensive create an estate for your L I | loved ones as w ell as giving you peace o f mind. | | | I C A LL US ■ P loyhar I nsurance j ^ 676-5818 J CO A ST TO CO A ST Your • source for all your Hunting & camping needs Guns • Ammo camping supplies GoasttoGoast Heppner WF. CAM HF.I.F YOC 676-9W To the Editor: In regard to a recent letter to the editor, I would like to pre sent ther following facts regar ding the Boardman Health Care Center: In the last 17 years the Board- man clinic has seen over 20-plus physicians come and go. Dr. Boss has been here the longest of any physician, com ing here in May 1990. He chose to come here and wishes to continue here. Rural physicians are hard to find today, let alone keep. Prior to Dr. Boss, many pa tients left the area for their helath care due to the ever- changing physicians and lack of continuity of health care. Because of Dr. Boss this has changed. Patients have now returned and are once again ob taining their medical care local ly. This was not a feat that hap pened overnight. It has taken a lot of work and time to build this practice. Yes, Dr. Boss receives $130,000 per year to run and operate the Boardman clinic. It is then his responsibility to pay staff, utilities, supplies, malpractice, retirement and maintain equipment. There has been no increase in the amount since 1990. However, expenses have increased and our physi cian and assistant are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for which they receive no remuneration. I ask what are we paying the three physicians and dentist in Heppner. Do our physician and the people in the north end of the county deserve less? Almost all of the "state-of- the-art" equipment at the Boardman clinic was purchas ed by Dr. Boss years ago. Most of that equipment would not be considered up to date state-of- the-art. The current X-ray machine is over 17 years old, which is the same age of the X- ray machine the hospital just replaced. I believe that machine was considered inadequate and an antique. Dr. Boss' accountant provid ed the financial information that the auditors requested. Dr. Boss would not agree to giving them his personal income taxes which are totally irrelevant to the operation of Boardman Health Care Center. Dr. Boss is an independent contractor. If his is to be audited, then why aren't we auditing the other in dependent contractors? The Health District is currently pay ing almost a quarter million dollars for a management con tract and computer services. The board member that re signed from the Medical Dis trict was filling an elected posi tion representing the people of this community. It only makes sense for this community by way of the Chamber and city council to endorse the person they felt best qualified to replace him. The board ignored the Boardman community's de sire as reflected by the Chamber and city council en dorsement in this matter. Over half the population (and still growing) is in the north end of the county. Ap proximately 50 percent of the patients seen at the Boardman clinic are either on Medicare or Welfare. Due to managed care there have been some drastic changes in the last two years concerning reimbursement. Additionally, the clinic is a preferred provider for HMO, Blue Cross, PACC, Qual Med and Railroad. As a preferred provider, we take a write-off (collecting only 70-90 percent of the billing) on all of these office visits. This is a mandatory part of a medical clinic's business if we are to be available for our patients who have these in surances. Lastly, workers' com pensation does not reimburse at the 100 percent rate either. Indeed, current pending legislation will lower the reim bursement to the current Medi care and Welfare fee schedule. These changes have greatly reduced the clinic revenue generating ability while in creasing the cost of operating. I hope this answers some questions but one question I have is does not the north end of the county also deserve the best medical care possible? I also feel the treatment of Mr. Glenn was totally cruel and un called for as we all deserve the right to our opinion. If you have that much time and energy on your hands maybe you should volunteer at the hospital and nursing home as I'm sure volunteers are always needed and appreciated. In the future please ask if you have a question as Morrow County does deserve good quality medical care both in the north and south. Respectfully, (s) Kathy Cash Boardman Communities need quality medical care To the Editor: This letter is in regards to the X-ray facility at Boardman Health Care Center. I am cur rently the radiology supervisor here and am in charge of mak ing sure the machine and pro cessor meet Oregon standards and that all of our films are ac ceptable. I have worked at three different hospitals and several clinics and believe I know what is generally thought of to be an optimal, desired X- ray machine/room ("state-of- the-art") and what is thought to be just adequate (not "state- of-the-art"). The machine cur rently in use at Boardman is a 1978 General Electric single phase machine. In simple terms, this means it is 17 years old and definitely not "state- of-the-art". Although our machine is an tiquated, it is serving a great purpose for the people of north Morrow County. The closest X- ray facility is 25 miles away. That is too far away when an x-ray is needed to confirm or diagnose a patient when they are in our office. As many of you know, having the X-ray equipment in the office saves you, the patient, time and energy. I don't think any of you want to drive to Hermiston every time an X-ray is needed. Our physician, Dr. Boss, and physician assistant, Mr. Carab- ba, demand high quality of care for their patients and you, the patient, shouldn't expect any thing less. Why would you want to go somewhere for health care if a facility doesn't have the lab and X-ray neces sary to diagnose and treat you? Of course the X-ray machine with its maintenance and pro blems probably doesn't pay for itself. We have had two field engineers from G.E. to work on the machine for recurring pro blems of alignment. This is very costly and wouldn't be neces sary for a "state-of-the-art" X- ray machine. I would also like to point out that the X-ray machine replaced at Pioneer Memorial Hospital was approx imately the same age as ours. I have to wonder, as I hope all of north Morrow County does, why Pioneer Memorial Hos pital is more deserving of a new X-ray machine than Boardman Health Care Center is. I really hope everyone reading the articles about the Morrow County health care issues are actually thinking about what is written and said and asking questions. This is your health care center at stake. If having a new physician every five years is what you want- fine. If it isn't, speak up and let the medical district know. (s) Melissa South, R.T. (R) A.R.R.T. 160 Elmonte Umatilla Market Report Compliments of the Morrow County Grain Growers Tuesday, Sept. 19 Soft White Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. *4.98 *5.02/*5.05 *5.06/*5.08 *5.09/*5.11 *5.12/*5.14 Barley Sept.-Dec. *116 Justice Court Report Chamber Chatter By Claudia Hugh*», Cham bf Manager Individuals make a big dif ference and we all have the ability to do just that this week, be it the Willow Creek Park District hearing, the vote for recreation for our Morrow County youth, or the future of the Ag/History museum. It's important to be heard, to respect the ideas of others and to listen to all sides of the topic. One never knows when a chance idea will cause great things to happen in our community. Have you stopped by the former GEODC/Chamber of fice to share your knowledge of history, artifacts and ideas for the Ag/History museum plann ed for the former Morrow County Grain Growers eleva tor? This is a project that will be here for generations. What an opportunity to educate visitors and our des- cendants on the history of agriculture as well as the cur rent process, especially folks who believe food comes from the grocery. Envision visitors seeing all the antique equip ment, photos of it operating; history of the family farms; The Morrow County Clerk's small rooms depicting the office at the courthouse in homes people lived in; a work Heppner reports issuing the ing grist mill; by-products of following marriage license dur our cattle, sheep, wheat, tim ing the past week: Sept. 12: Raul M. Ramos, 21, ber; hands-on experiences; a small stage for entertainment lone; and and historians; made in Mor Jennifer C. Martinez, 18, row County products; farm lone. tours, etc. You may disagree with some of the mentioned ideas and you may have your own ideas, but regardless, it's an opportunity for the entire community to work together to help the St. Patrick's Parish will begin economy and leave a historic their High School Religious Education and Youth Ministry path behind. Let's create some Program on Wednesday, Sept. thing special to tie in with our new Main Street, sidewalks 27. and beautiful historic court The program will begin with house. It's a project in which all a kick-off dinner at the parish generations can become involv hall at 6 p.m. Following the dinner, there will be an even ed with pride. Drop by today ing of prayer and meditation. or tomorrow and be a part of All high school students who the decision making process. Next week at Chamber : Scott wish to grow in faith are Sawyer with our new phone welcome to attend, said Fr. company PTI and a discussion Gerry Condon. Their parents of allotment grazing recom are also invited to join them mendations. both for the dinner and the evening of prayer. Those interested should register with Fr. Condon at 676-9462 by Sunday, Sept. 24. The Justice Court office at the courthouse annex building in Heppner reports handling the following business during the past week: Shari Lynn Stahl, 29, Lexington-Exceeding the Max imum Speed Limit, 68 mph in a 55 mph zone, $107 fine; Jessie J. Jefferys, 25, Lexington-two counts, Driving While Suspended, Driving While Uninsured, Failure to Change Name/Address on Driver's License, Exceeding the Maximum Speed Limit, 79 mph in a 55 mph zone, $1,094 fine; Jessica Stefani, 18, Ione- Minor In Possession, $131 fine; Lorene Evivian Papineau, 35, Lexington-Exceeding the Max imum Speed Limit, 72 mph in a 55 mph zone, $102 fine; Michael Eugene Lairmore, 41, Welches-Exceeding the Maximum Speed Limit, 72 mph in a 55 mph zone, $67 fine. Marriage Licenses St. Pat's to begin religious program WANTED SPORTSWRITER and PHOTOGRAPHER for lone H S Sports mmmmommmmm The O fficial Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow Call Heppner Gazette 676-9228 * ¡smmmmmMmmmmmsismmE $ 1,000 REWARD for the arrest and convic tion of the person or per sons responsible for taking wire, steel posts and stock panels from the Roach Ranch. Contact Roy Dragov County Sheriff Morrow County 676-5317
