Hospital Board of Commissioners approve landscaping bid

The Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners met at their regular meeting on May 25 and discussed the financial situation of the District, as well as approved a landscaping bid for the facilty.

The Board reviewed and approved a landscaping bid from Naturescape Northwest to complete work around the hospital facility.

The work will only be completed around the hospital, not at the neighboring buildings on the property.

The bid to complete the work totaled $33,321 before tax, and included the planting for grass and shrubs, and concrete and site work.

The Commissioners initially budgeted $32,500 to complete the landscaping project, prior to construction. The Board approved the bid from Naturescape Northwest, with Ross Heimbigner opposing the motion.

CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom updated the Board regarding inter local agreements within the Columbia Regional Health System.

There are eight facilities participating, and the collective group allows for additional grant money possibilities, he explained.

He also provided an update regarding bills at the state level that could affect the employees and the District.

While the bill requiring EMTs to pay into the firefighter retirement system has been signed by the governor, they are still waiting on a final decision for a bill not requiring EMTs to drive the ambulance and a change in the amount of maternity leave provided.

Currently, East Adams Rural Healthcare provides 12 weeks for maternity leave, but the bill is pushing for businesses to provide 26 weeks. The tax would fall on employees and employers, Bostrom stated, and maternity leave can be used by both the woman and the spouse.

House Bill 2202 changes the EMT retirement into the fund that has previously been solely for law enforcement and firefighters, Bostrom said.

EARH may have an exclusion, since all EMTs are currently part time employees.

The retirement change would require a 17 percent contribution, which would fall to the employer and the employee. He explained it is payable for the previous five years for the employee, and 10 years for the employer, but both parties would need to contribute.

Bostrom also explained EARH has signed a letter of interest in a project through Better Health Together.

The project allows EARH to participate with the increase of availalibilty for chronic disease self-management programs for resident in eastern Adams County.

This program is in collaboration with members of REACH and would provide community members with accessibility to receive training with Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management.

The program would provide classes and support to community members who have, or are at risk, of chronic diseases.

Bostrom said the primary care teams would refer patients to the program who may benefit from the instruction, and participants will also have access to services and resources through the Pathways Community Hub.

Though EARH has signed a letter of interest, Bostrom explained the Adams County Health Department did not, but they did submit a letter of support.

Bostrom also provided a financial update for the Board, explaining the current month’s revenue was under budget by $210,574, while deductions from revenue were over budget by $107,043.

The facility currently has a net loss of $171,985 for the current month, and a year to date loss of $194,302.

Bostrom said May will be different, as they have collected $1.2 million for Medicare swing bed patients. There was also a $400,000 write-off for past due accounts.

Along with the amount of patients utilizing ultrasound services, Bostrom said the facility should see an increase in revenue in the upcoming months.

The Board also unanimously approved the donation for $1,000 for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

The next board meeting is June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the EARH conference room.