SEARHC Medicare
Dear Editor: Several weeks ago SEARHC held a once-a-year meeting for the community to have the opportunity to share any questions or concerns with SEARHC.
This meeting really was not a community meeting. It was an attempt to convince everyone that SEARHC is doing a great job. Only 15 speakers were allowed three minutes each and on Zoom at that. Zoom is inefficient and cumbersome and some people do not use it. They were left out. Everyone was not able to hear SEARHC’s responses. The listening session held in November was a community meeting, but SEARHC did not attend. They do not really care about the opinions of Sitkans. Sadly, they will do what they want.
SEARHC only cares about money. The closure of Medicare Home Health is a money decision. Care is different now and more expensive for the patients. SEARHC, however, will get paid more and thus it is a win only for the bottom line. The services provided are not as comprehensive. Expense will force some patients to relocate or else be hospitalized when they do not want to be so.
SEARHC promised many things to convince the Assembly to merge the hospitals and close Sitka Community Hospital. Well, sadly, SEARHC is showing no inclination to listen to the town. Perhaps another meeting where the community can freely talk and be heard is in order.
During that meeting, the public was told that employee morale is low because people are upset with SEARHC. We all know it is not the employees but management. The attempt to guilt or shame us into not speaking up was wrong. I heard some compelling testimony from citizens that day, but no response from SEARHC.
Carin Adickes, Sitka
