Community Hospital
Dear Editor: This letter is addressed to the mayor, Assembly members and the city administrator:
I write this letter in response to the ongoing discussion and debate that will lead to the future fate of Sitka Community Hospital. Our community is faced with challenging economic times likely never experienced here before. The sale of SCH deserves thoughtful fact-based consideration that will lead to the best decision for the community as a whole…. not only fiscally but also socially and culturally.
Based upon my observations, conversations with community members, and what I know to be the facts, I see two overriding issues at play. First, is the community of Sitka large enough for two hospitals? Two hospitals that very effectively serve the unique demographic, cultural, and medical needs of the community. Secondly, has sufficient due diligence been completed to fully vet the financial impact on the community.
I write this letter to ask for your consideration to complete a thorough economic impact study prior to any decision regarding the disposition of SCH. The study should be completed by an independent third party and focus on the socioeconomic impacts of the sale, the impacts on the community of Sitka and the surrounding area. An economic impact study and analysis will provide valuable insight into issues that necessitate additional information including…
What is the impact on local employment, with consideration not only on total payroll, but also head counts? Isn’t this the time we should be looking for opportunities to grow our long-term year-round employment?
What is the impact on our local school enrollment? What is the impact on the school district budget if the district continues to have declining enrollment? Loss of jobs will lead to shrinking school enrollments.
What is the impact on the city’s financial position including unfunded liabilities, tobacco tax revenues, shared costs between SCH and general government, etc.?
Are there opportunities consistent with health care in the community that the hospital could serve that is not currently met, i.e. long-term care, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation partnerships, quasi-governmental organizations, drug/alcohol rehabilitation services, center for non-profit administration, etc.?
Have other uses of the hospital been considered? Are they realistically achievable? What is the plan to achieve those?
Now is the time it is incumbent upon the mayor, Assembly and the city administrator to think outside the box and investigate meaningful opportunities to grow our economy ... not consolidate. I reflect and ask what if ... what if an economic impact study had been completed prior to Sheldon Jackson ceasing operations after 137 years? If we had known the long-lasting fiscal and socioeconomic impact of losing such a distinguished institution of higher learning changed our outlook? Would the community have fought to seek a long-term solution to save the college? Sheldon Jackson is gone today … but I believe there are parallel lessons to be learned here.
I ask the mayor and Assembly to obtain an independently prepared socioeconomic impact study prior to any transaction related to the sale or disposition of Sitka Community Hospital.
Thank you for your dedicated service to the community. Kindest regards.
Maxwell Rule, Sitka
