The Garden City Telegram

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Future needs

Published 7/27/2009 in Commentary : Editorial

Many residents of rural communities cherish their hospitals.

A lot of small towns, after all, don't have a local medical facility, so residents face the extra burden of heading elsewhere for emergencies and other care.

That's why those communities usually work hard to help their hospitals stay viable. In Kearny County, the question for voters Tuesday is whether they're willing to give more to address needs at their local hospital.

Capital investments to boost technology and improve care are key in Kearny County Hospital's budget request for $1,849,152, which equals 6.796 mills. Any request of more than six mills must be put to a vote.

Last year voters rejected a $1.6 million request, and the hospital received $1 million. This year's proposed increase in the mill levy would mean a reasonable $38 increase in taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Some would argue that the hospital has to tighten its belt. But the challenge is in keeping costs in check without compromising patient care at a time that's becoming more difficult.

As rural populations shrink, those who remain in those communities tend to be older, sicker and poorer. At the same time, hospitals must endure cuts in Medicaid and Medicare and declining insurance reimbursements.

Kearny County Hospital officials fear that if they don't move swiftly on an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, they stand to lose more in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements as the federal government pushes to replace paper record systems.

The budget request before voters includes $250,000 for Phase One software to keep digital records. Other proposed capital expenditures include one driven by a rise in surgeries: two new anesthesia machines ($75,000) that comply with federal standards of care.

Tuesday's vote comes amid challenging economic times. When they head to the polls, Kearny County voters need to ask themselves the cost of not investing more in their local hospital.

Economic turbulence and the ever-changing health care environment have created an uncertain future for many rural hospitals struggling to stay viable.

With that in mind, Kearny County voters should be willing to dig deep in supporting a budget request that helps their own hospital address realistic needs.

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On the Web:

Kearny County Hospital Election Page: http://www.kearnycountyhospital.com/election09/election.shtm

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