LWVSJ Observer Corps: SJC Public Hospital District #1 Regular Board Meeting, September 25, 2024

Linda McCarthy, Director of Mount Baker Planned Parenthood gave the biannual report. She is close to resolving the long-term staffing problem in the Friday Harbor office. Since January 2024, 114 patients have been served, using telemedicine and the Bellingham and Mt. Vernon offices. There is a memorandum of understanding in place to provide STD testing through San Juan County Health Services. Director McCarthy has postponed her retirement to April 1, 2025. She thanked the Commissioners for their continued support.

Superintendent Butler reported the financials for PHD and EMS are sound. The Peace Health subsidy was paid early this month. Property tax funds are beginning; the bulk will come in November. The state audit will begin next month. They have scheduled an October retreat for 2025 budget formulation. For the EMS Update the August call rate was lower than past years, although winter 2024 rates were higher than past years. A few EMS employees left for more competitive wages. Community Paramedicine continues with EMT Stephanie Zamora in charge after the departure of Ryan Cuddington. Lower occupancy in spring at the Village at the Harbor resulted in lost revenue, but current occupancy has picked up. A staffing shortage over summer required reliance on traveling CNAs, who needed housing. They are looking into a more permanent housing solution.

Evan Perrollaz reported that Village at Home services are growing slowly and steadily; they are providing about 40 hours per week of care services. They are training some personnel at the Village and continue to collaborate with the Community Paramedicine program. There is a fundraiser tentatively scheduled for December 7. The 2025 budget process will give a better idea about a possible Medicaid contract and the ability of the program to provide some Medicaid services. They hope to get answers on the possibilities of Medicaid services by January 2025. The program has to be financially sustainable.

EMS is moving forward with an MOU with EMS providers on Lopez, Orcas and Shaw to have reciprocal coinsurance for residents needing services on other islands. Currently residents of our district have coinsurance for services, and Lopez, Orcas and Shaw have the same benefit. The agreement would honor each island’s coinsurance program, if for example an Orcas resident is on San Juan Island and needs EMS services.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.