Dear CHOICES Subscribers, Who Reports the News, How We Digest It There was a lot of news this past week, but I first want to talk about who reports the news and how we digest it. In the past, we have focused on digesting news reported in newspapers -- mainly the Register-Guard, the Springfield News and the Eugene Weekly, but also the Comic News, the Daily Emerald, the Oregonian, and some national newspapers. We are blessed to have so many options for local print news. Because of the nature of print media, newspapers tend report stories in greater depth and with more chance for fact checking than broadcast media. But much of the unfolding news this week wasn't reported in the newspaper but on TV. We are also blessed to have three major TV stations -- KEZI (Channel 9, ABC affiliate), KMTV (Channel 16, NBC affiliate) and KVAL (Channel 13, CBS affiliate). TV (and radio) tend to be able to report news stories faster than newspapers. For example, KVAL was the first to report Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken's press conference about LCDC's decision on Friday. Starting this week, we will try to include TV stories of interest -- at least to the extent we have the resources to do so. This week we offer eight TV stories. Health Options Digest tries to be "fair and balanced" in the news stories we offer. We include every story we come across related to local hospital siting issues, and many stories about the cost of health care and related matters -- whether or not we agree with the story. If we miss a story, it is not intentional. We encourage anyone to call to our attention items we miss. We also try to be fair in respecting the copyrights of the media. It costs money to report the news. We publish leads of news stories not as a substitute to your reading the newspaper or watching TV, but as a way to call your attention to stories you might have missed. We urge you as much as possible to get your news directly from newspapers and TV. But don't believe everything you hear or read, especially when the issues are complex and reporters have time to hear from only one or two sources. I think most of the stories this week about LCDC and the appeal to the Court of Appeals got important facts wrong. Here we try to separate fact from fiction. We also offer our own views not only on what has happened but what should happen. Moving forward, we appreciate the service all the local TV stations, radio stations and newspapers provide to the community. We are a better community because of them. We urge local reporters to strive to be more accurate and unbiased in their reporting, in particular, by interviewing multiple sources as much as possible. Fonts, Small and Large From time to time, readers tell us our fonts are too small. We compose Health Options Digest in HTML using the Smaller, Medium and Larger sizes of the Verdana font. We also use the bold, italic and underline styles. We do so in order to make it as easy as possible for as many readers as possible to scan a lot of information quickly to find what they want. Unfortunately, our approach is at best a compromise in light of existing technology. In particular, different email applications and web browsers on different computers (PC vs. Mac) display the same messages differently. What may be too small for one reader may be too large for another. Unfortunately, we know of no easy fix to this problem. If anyone else does, we would be happy to hear about it. LUBA, DLCD, ODOT, TPR, OHP and All That There was a lot of news, spin and misinformation this week about plans for a new PeaceHealth hospital being appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The main thing to keep in mind is that it won't be a "done deal" until the last attorney or judge says it is, which won't occur until April or May at the earliest. Thus headlines such as "Springfield Wins debate Over PeaceHealth Hospital" are just spin. In greater detail, here's our understand of what is happening... In early January, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) ruled that plans for a new PeaceHealth hospital had problems with Statewide Planning Goal 9 (Economic Development) and 12 (Transportation). In response, the City of Springfield can fix its plans, appeal the ruling, or do both. The LUBA ruling doesn't necessarily stop the hospital. Comments by Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken and others that the sky is falling are premature exaggerations. The City of Springfield decided to appeal the LUBA ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals. We expect they will challenge the ruling on at least transportation issues and perhaps on economic development issues. But the Jaquas beat Springfield to it by filing their own appeal to the Court of Appeals first. CHOICES, Lane County and 1000 Friends of Oregon can join in this appeal. We expect that the Jaquas and others will challenge LUBA's ruling on the issues it dismissed, in particular, Goal 2 (coordination between governments) and Goal 10 (housing). In April or May, the Court of Appeals will rule on all of these issues. Springfield and PeaceHealth may win on the Goal 9 and 12 issues they had previously lost on. But they could also lose on the Goal 2 and Goal 10 issues they had previously won on. Going to the Court of Appeals is more of a gamble than a sure thing for all parties involved. As we noted, it won't be over until the last attorney and judge says it is. The transportation issue relates to the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR), which is administered by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), and the Oregon Highway Plan (OHP), which is administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). When a court case involves the rule or plan of a state agency, that agency often files a brief to assert its own interest in the case -- but not necessarily for or against any other party to the case. So the big story this week was whether DLCD and ODOT would decide to file briefs (and what those briefs will ultimately say). As correctly reported, on Friday the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), which oversees DLCD, withheld authority for DLCD to file a brief. We suspect their decision had more to do with the fact that the governor is replacing 5 of their 7 members and less to do with anything related to Springfield or PeaceHealth. Thus the Court of Appeals will be deprived of DLCD's views on its own rule. What is less clear is whether ODOT will still file its own brief. Despite reports to the contrary, our udnerstanding is that ODOT will be filing a brief in order to assert its interest in the Oregon Highway Plan to the Court of Appeals. A new PeaceHealth hospital would have great impacts on the Interstate-5/Beltline interchange, and thus is of grave concern to ODOT. So the Court of Appeals may get just half of the state story: from ODOT but not from DLCD. In practice, none of this may matter much. The Court of Appeals isn't supposed to rule based on who says what but is supposed to blindly and narrowly interpret the existing laws and regulations. Even if DLCD doesn't file a brief, others can say what it would have said. If the arguments are valid, they should carry weight regardless of who said them. It won't be over until the last attorney and judge says it is. The Rest of the News In the middle of all of this, Springfield is threatening to take away four homes in order to build a road needed by PeaceHealth. This is obviously a bad move and Springfield should reverse itself immediately. PeaceHealth is running ads on TV, as if their hospital is already built. Springfield is on course to "decide" on the hospital in March, perhaps thinking if they make their decision before the Court of Appeals does, then they won't have to pay attention. This sort of thinking may work on a school playground, but is inappropriate for duly elected officials sworn to uphold the law. Given that Springfield decided to appeal LUBA's ruling to the Court of Appeals, they should wait for a ruling before moving forward with plans for a new PeaceHealth hospital. Other than that, plans for a new McKenzie-Willamette hospital could be headed for a show down (been there, done that). The sky may not be falling but the cost of health care is skyrocketing, making it increasingly difficult for even people of average means to pay for it. (Speaking of which, did you catch the part in the PeaceHealth TV ad about private rooms, not for patients but for their loved ones? We wonder who will be able to afford to stay at the "PeaceHealth Hilton.") And what do the doctors think about all this? Another time we may look at that question. There's more below, but you can scroll down yourself. This Week and Beyond Not much on the public calendar this week. On Monday, the Springfield City Council will adopt an "emergency" ordinance related to PeaceHealth, presumably to fast-track the project in spite of legal challenges. On Thursday, you can view progress on the I-5 detour bridges over the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers. Last month, I watched a huge crane back out under I-5, make a U-turn, and then go under I-5 again. This is fascinating work to watch! Springfield is accepting applications for its budget committee, and still accepting applications for its planning commission. And a new week will bring new news... Rob Zako, Editor 343-5201 rzako@efn.org ================================================================================ Health Options Digest February 1, 2004 Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR Monday, February 2 -- Springfield City Council Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3700 5:30 p.m., Work Session, Jesse Maine Room 1. Presentation and Discussion of HB 2011 and Executive Order No. 03-02 Regarding Industrial Lands and Economic Development Efforts. (45 min.) 2. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Design. (30 min.) 3. United Front Agenda. (15 min.) 7:00 p.m., Regular Session, Council Meeting Room * Public Hearing: Vacation of Kathryn Street Public Right of Way, Between 39th and Olympic Streets (Planning File No. LRP2003-00023), the Firm of Olson and Morris Applicants for the Abutting Property Owners. (15 min.) * Public Hearing: Supplemental Budget Resolution. (10 min.) * Public Hearing: Willakenzie Fire District. (15 min.) * Library Board Appointment. * Budget Committee Appointments. * Mayor/Council Committee Assignments. * Responding to the LUBA Remand of City Decisions Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metro Area General Plan and TransPlan in Ordinance No. 6022. (20 min.) * Update on LUBA Remand of City of Springfield's Decision on PeaceHealth, Goal 12. (10 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2004Council/2004%20February%202%20agenda.pdf Thursday, February 5 -- Tours of Detour I-5 Bridges Over Willamette and McKenzie Rivers 9:00 a.m., Tour of Willamette Bridge 11:00 a.m., Tour of McKenzie Bridge Public tours, which are held on the first Thursday of each month, will take place this week. The tour of the Willamette site leaves from East Alton Baker Park/Eastgate Woodlands, at the corner of Poltava and Walnut streets in Springfield, at 9 a.m. The McKenzie tour meets at Armitage Park at 11 a.m. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/02/01/c2.cr.bridgeupdate.0201.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPPORTUNITIES Planning Commission accepting applications SPRINGFIELD -- The city is accepting applications for its seven-member Planning Commission. Commission positions are volunteer, at-large, with no ward restrictions. The commission oversees zone changes, variances, appeals and discretionary use permits. Applications are available at the City Manager's Office, City Hall, 225 Fifth St. The deadline is Friday. For more information, call 726-3783. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/b2.cr.rg.briefs.0131.html City budget committee looks to fill one position SPRINGFIELD -- The city seeks applications for one position on the Springfield Budget Committee. One position is open to residents of Ward 1, in the Gateway area. The committee reviews the city's financial plans and policies, including the annual budget. Application forms are available in the City Manager's Office in City Hall, 225 Fifth St., and the deadline is Feb. 27. For more information, call Norma Barton at 726-3698. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/b2.cr.rg.briefs.0131.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PEACEHEALTH Blow To PeaceHealth's Plans KEZI TV, Monday, January 26, 11:35 PM "Really this is much larger than the PeaceHealth project.ÊÊThis has ramifications affecting the state," said Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken. A decision Monday night deals a major blow to PeaceHealth's plan to build a new hospital and possibly all development in the state of Oregon. (more...) http://www.kezi.com/content/contentID/6461 Land Use Snag KVAL TV, Tuesday, January 27 Springfield -- Imagine wanting to build a new business, but having to build all the surrounding roads and installing all the traffic lights before your plan could be approved. That may be the case for PeaceHealth and the city of Springfield. Two additional state agencies now want to weigh in on whether the plan should move forward. It's a new development that could make or break a precident setting land use decision. (more...) http://www.kval.com/x30530.xml?ParentPageID=x2649&ContentID=x43800&Layout=kval.xsl&AdGroupID=x30530 City Leaders Concerned About LUBA Issue KEZI TV, Tuesday, January 27, 06:20 PM This issue is bigger than Springfield and Peacehealth Hospital. The issue was based on the Peacehealth project and has city leaders concerned about the future of development ... and more importantly our areas economic development. Businesses planning to build in Oregon... may have a tougher time doing so under this latest decision. "We think that if it stays it would be a dangerous precedent.. no only as it applies to economic development in our community but state wide," said Terry Connolly, Director of Government Affairs with the Chamber of Commerce. Waiting to see how traffic will impact and area, before you can get a building permit, could delay the construction of new businesses. City leaders on both sides of the river are concerned. "I mean it's a triggering device and it's very worrisome to me because small groups that are not interested in seeing any form of development now have a tool that can stop anything," said Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey. LUBA's ruling makes a business first provide a study on the impact of traffic in the area... before applying for a permit. (more...) http://www.kezi.com/content/contentID/6476 Agency throws in with LUBA, causes headache for officials The state Department of Land Conservation and Development has dealt the city of Springfield a severe blow. The department plans to support a Land Use Board of Appeals ruling that requires the city to show that hospital development on Peace-Health's Gateway area property won't impact the current transportation system. Nan Evans, department director, will ask its governing commission on Friday for the right to file a joint brief with Oregon Department of Transportation before the Court of Appeals in support of LUBA's interpretation of the state's Transportation Planning Rule. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/28/local/news03.txt Two State Departments Back LUBA Decision Regarding PeaceHealth Development KEZI TV, Wednesday, January 28, 09:10 AM Ê The battle over Peacehealth's Riverbend project is heating up.ÊÊNow, two state departments are aligning against the City of Springfield in its fight to challenge a recent decision by the Land Use Board of Appeals. That decision put a hold on Peacehealth's Riverbend project due to concerns over traffic congestion. The City of Springfield appealed- that's when groups started taking sides.ÊÊ ODOT and the Department of Land Conservation and Development are siding with LUBA, which could spell trouble for the Riverbend hospital and other developments.ÊÊ Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken says, "This becomes a much bigger issue than just a blow to PeaceHealth, this is a blow to Springfield, Eugene, Roseburg, Tigard, every community in the state of Oregon." (more...) http://www.kezi.com/content/contentID/6485 Agencies weigh in on impact of hospital SPRINGFIELD -- The city's push to build the new PeaceHealth hospital has become a statewide debate on whether development should come before tackling the traffic that it will cause. Two state agencies -- the Department of Transportation and the Department of Land Conservation and Development -- support a state board decision requiring the city to account for increased traffic stemming from the $400 million hospital project, said Bob Cortright of the land department. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/29/a1.luba.0129.html Springfield Wins Debate Over PeaceHealth Hospital KVAL TV, Friday, January 30 Springfield -- The City of Springfield is claiming victory. The city challenged a state agency decision about the new PeaceHealth hospital and won. Monday the Land Conservation and Development Department said it wanted a say in the planning for the hospital. It wanted to argue in favor of a recent land use decision that all the road improvements surrounding the hospital site have to be in place before PeaceHealth can build a new medical center. But Friday,ÊSpringfield's mayor and attorney argued to the commission they were changing the rules mid-stream. Commissioners agreed they couldn't make a policy decision on the fly. Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken says this is victory for all cities in Oregon. "And so really this is about he process, let the process work, don't interrupt it, don't change the rules because this was exactly what was trying to occur, We are very, very pleased with this outcome This doesn't mean the hospital is a done deal. But theÊdecision should help PeaceHealth and Springfield as they take their case against the early road improvements to the Oregon appeals court in March. (end) http://www.kval.com/x30530.xml?ParentPageID=x2649&ContentID=x43852&Layout=kval.xsl&AdGroupID=x30530 State board won't get help in PeaceHealth appeal SPRINGFIELD -- The city's defense of the PeaceHealth hospital project got a boost Friday when the city learned it will go before the Oregon Court of Appeals without facing the additional opposition of two state agencies. The Land Conservation and Development Commission declined Friday to join the state Land Use Board of Appeals when the court reviews the board's decision that the city must account for the temporary traffic problems that the 160-acre development would cause. The city has appealed the land use board's decision to the court, and the state Department of Transportation along with Department of Land Conservation and Development sought to file a brief in support of the land use board, said Bob Cortright, of the land use department. But the commission's decision rules out ODOT's ability to join in the appeal, ODOT spokesman Patrick Cooney said. That's because ODOT needs the commission to grant it the authority to file the brief. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/b1.cr.hospital.0131.html PeaceHealth Faces Hurdles in New Hospital Project KVAL TV, Tuesday, January 20 PeaceHealth hopes to open its new hospital in the Gateway area by 2007. Springfield -- PeaceHealth faces more hurdles as it tries to move forward with its new hospital.Ê Dozens of people in Springfield spoke out Tuesday night about the $400 million project. Emotions ran high at times, especially for people who live near the proposed hospitalÊbetween Game Farm Road and the Mckenzie River.Ê Phillip Fairrington,Êa developer for PeaceHealth showedÊa video of what the campus and surrounding area would look like.Ê He says the master plan envisions a state-of-the-art hospital campus where people can live, work and shop. But the plan is getting mixed reviews.ÊÊ Pam Basilius said, "I am told by the city that they are going to take my home and put a road through it for PeaceHealth, and there are no guarantees thatÊI will end up having another home."ÊÊShe addedÊthat she put all of her retirement money into her home that is her dream home, and PeaceHealth would only give her market value for her home, which wouldn't be enough. (more...) http://www.kval.com/x30530.xml?ParentPageID=x2649&ContentID=x43698&Layout=kval.xsl&AdGroupID=x30530 Public Speaks on PeaceHealth Plans KEZI TV, Wednesday, January 21, 12:35 AM Two crucial steps for PeaceHealth were up for discussion Tuesday night.ÊÊIt brought both supporters and opponents out in full force.ÊÊAnd they had plenty to say.ÊÊEverything from giving the project the green light to saying that Gateway is no place for a hospital.ÊÊIt was one of the last official face to face opportunities residents had to share their ideas with Springfield City Councilors. Right now PeaceHealth and the Springfield City Council are working out the remaining details.ÊÊThings like whether the hospital should have to build a parking structure sooner than it originally planned.ÊÊPeaceHealth is concerned about delays, saying every month of delayed construction costs them $1.5 million dollars.ÊÊSome Springfield residents have worries of their own.ÊÊ "PeaceHealth owns all of the land next to my house. There's no buildings on it, there's no reason they can't take this road and put it on their property.ÊÊThey have no need to take our houses," saidÊÊPam Basilius a Springfield Property Owner. (more...) http://www.kezi.com/content/contentID/6406 Homeowners face losing their homes, don't like city methods The numbers are in, and property owners along Deadmond Ferry Road aren't happy. North Springfield homeowners are calling into question the credibility of a Eugene appraiser who evaluated the value of their land for the city of Springfield, which could acquire the land through eminent domain. The city requested Duncan & Brown complete the appraisals to ease the fears of property owners who could be impacted by a proposed road for the PeaceHealth medical complex, but the final reports fell far below what residents believe their properties are worth. Property owners are doubting whether the appraiser could have issued fair appraisals because John Brown, a partner in the firm, has contracted with PeaceHealth on multiple occasions and even testified during a public hearing last week in support of the hospital's master plan. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/28/local/news02.txt City should listen to the homeowners, hospital Springfield News Editorial Under the right of eminent domain, the government can seize private property for public use -- like to build a road, or a courthouse. The government buys the property, pays the owner what's determined to be fair market value, and presses on, serving what it calls the greater good of the public. The city's exercise of this right would claim three homes along Deadmond Ferry Road in North Springfield. At issue is an access road to the back of the new PeaceHealth hospital site. The city's annexation agreement with the hospital includes an improvement to the intersection of Deadmond Ferry Road and Baldy View Drive. That improvement would take the three properties, annexing them from the county. Included in the agreement, is that PeaceHealth must pay for it. Hospital officials are not keen on the annexation. First -- and probably foremost -- is that it will cost more money. Secondly, the hospital is not excited about starting out on the wrong foot in the hood -- by being an overbearing neighbor. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/30/opinion/opinion01.txt Have you seen the new PeaceHealth commercial? The hospital is airing spots that show a computer-generated depiction of Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, idyllically situated among the trees in the Gateway area -- but there is no mention that the $400 million project hasn't been approved yet. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/b2.cr.spcitybeat.0131.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCKENZIE-WILLAMETTE/TRIAD Eugene Talks About Hospital Sites Ê KEZI TV, Monday, January 26, 11:50 PM The City of Eugene might have to look at some other options to keep it a desirable place for McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center to build a new facility.ÊÊThe hospital recently responded to the city's list of preferred hospital sites.ÊÊIt said no thanks to the 2nd and Chambers site, which came with some serious incentives. Some councilors want to make sure they don't scare McKenzie-Willamette away, but they don't plan to offer any incentives on other site options for the hospital.ÊÊStill, they took the discussion of hospital sites into a closed meeting. Before the closed session, some councilors admitted they're confused as to why McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center doesn't like the 2nd and Chambers site option.ÊÊThe hospital cites access issues as its reason. ÊÊÊÊÊ While City Councilors aren't willing to extend the original incentives to another site, they do want to continue working to bring a hospital to Eugene.ÊÊ"We can wish for and we can hope for, but we can't force a private entity to relocate where they just don't want to be.ÊÊI hope we can convince them they want to be there," said Eugene City Councilor Nancy Nathanson. Some City Councilors say they're willing to look at a "Plan B" of preferred hospital sites.ÊÊNow the city of Eugene will wait for McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center to begin talking with them about its preferred site. (end) http://www.kezi.com/content/contentID/6462 Eugene eyes new incentives for hospital Eugene city councilors apparently have been jilted in their attempt to woo McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center into relocating on the south side of the Willamette River and talked at length Monday night about whether to increase or broaden their offer of incentives. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/a1.hospital.0127.html Officials push Glenwood site for hospital SPRINGFIELD -- In the high-stakes game to find McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center a new home, Springfield is working diligently -- but very quietly -- to build a winning hand in Glenwood. Springfield officials have considered land between Franklin Boulevard and the Willamette River for an urban renewal district, possibly for the hospital. Staff members have discussed key issues they could bring up with the City Council, and how to clear hurdles to siting the hospital there. They're also seeking option-purchase agreements on privately owned Glenwood land that could be packaged and presented to McKenzie-Willamette or to another large user. Hospital spokeswoman Rosie Pryor said this past week that the Springfield hospital is still studying a dozen or so sites for a new $80 million facility, including Glenwood. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/02/01/a1.glenwood.0201.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COST OF HEALTH CARE Doctors warn of hospital rate hikes If voters defeat Measure 30 next week, Oregonians may be spared higher taxes, but they'll pay far more for health insurance when patients who lose state health benefits start to crowd hospital emergency rooms, local health providers said Monday. Hospitals will be forced to raise rates charged to health insurers, cut services or both, doctors and nurses said at a news conference at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/d1.cr.measure30.0127.html Loss of drug treatment shifts costs Commentary by Hillary Wylie What are the consequences of removing all coverage for chemical dependency treatment from the Oregon Health Plan, as well as all coverage for mental health services? Probably the most far-reaching consequence is that there may be no treatment for pregnant, addicted women. At least seven residential treatment centers around the state treat pregnant women and their children. These centers will not be able to continue to function without Oregon Health Plan funds. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/a11.ed.col.wylie0127.html Fill mental health gap: Psychiatric hospital's closure demands action Register-Guard Editorial The Lane County Psychiatric Hospital, like similar hospitals elsewhere in Oregon, has priced itself out of business. At a daily cost of $900 or more per patient, the county can't afford to keep the hospital's doors open beyond the end of March. The challenge now will be to create new, less expensive programs to help people with acute mental illnesses -- programs that could end up treating more patients at a lower cost. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/ed.edit.psychhosp.0127.html Fire chief warns of library, city cuts SPRINGFIELD -- City officials said Monday that a fire department merger is the remedy for drastic cuts that could include closing the library. The Springfield Budget Committee will meet tonight to consider dropping 14 city positions, closing the Springfield Public Library or other ways to remove as much as $1 million from the budget by July 1, Fire Chief Dennis Murphy said. The committee also may ultimately suggest that the City Council adopt a mix of smaller cuts and use of reserve money, Murphy said. Murphy is not a member of the committee but he issued Monday's statement -- along with Mayor Sid Leiken, City Manager Mike Kelly and Council President Tammy Fitch -- to underscore what they feel is a bleak financial picture. Instead of the cuts, the officials support consideration of annexing the city fire department into the outlying Willakenzie Fire District. If the department is folded into the district, the city will free up taxing power to cover the $1 million revenue shortfall, Murphy said. But he rejected the suggestion that citizens face an approve-the-district-or-face-cuts ultimatum. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/d1.cr.merger.0127.html District to form fire budget group City Council has tentatively formalized an intergovernmental agreement with the Willakenzie Fire District that would create a budget committee for area residents to serve on and would give the district ownership of the station at Fifth and M streets. Councilors accepted the agreement Monday night during a work session and agreed to vote on it next week. The vote needs to come prior to a Feb. 5 public hearing before the Lane County Boundary Commission, which will be asked to approve the city's annexation proposal before the merger can occur. In addition, the agreement states the city will work with the district in the future to secure land in the Jasper-Natron area for a fire station. Councilor Dave Ralston raised the only objection to the agreement, stating that Springfield residents should have a voice on the fire district board. He said he objects to non-Springfield residents having the ability to tax Springfield residents. If the merger is approved, the city will have additional room to raise taxes under its taxing authority; the district has its own ability to tax the residents it serves. The boundary commission meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. at Eugene City Hall. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/28/local/news07.txt Up for a vote? The City Council will vote Monday on an agreement to annex the fire department into the Willakenzie Fire District -- and whether citizens will get the final say. People on both sides of the issue have urged the council to let the people vote whether the fire department should be shifted to the district, a move that could mean savings while freeing up city taxing authority. "By putting this on their agenda, they're being responsive to the testimony they've heard, which is -- almost to a person -- 'This needs to go to a vote,'" Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas said. The smart money says council will go ahead and put the annexation on the May ballot, which means the new district could begin later this year if approved. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 225 Fifth St. Call 726-3700 for more information. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/b2.cr.spcitybeat.0131.html Insurer continues expansion SPRINGFIELD -- PacificSource Health Plans recorded record revenue in 2003, as the company continued its expansion into statewide markets. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/b1.bz.pacificsource.0127.html PacificSource sees enrollment increase PacificSource Health Plans watched its membership grow to 147,600 people in 2003, a 20 percent increase from 2002 and an all-time high in member enrollment for the Springfield company. The organization's greatest membership gains are in its preferred provider organization insurance product line, which grew by 36 percent; its group dental plans, which saw a 24 percent increase; and its individual policies, which increased by 14 percent. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/30/business/business03.txt Physicians want to buy 2 hospitals that closed Former employees from the Eastmoreland and Woodland Park facilities try to figure out how to recoup lost wages Two Portland hospitals that unexpectedly closed last week are coming closer to finding new owners as the 500 employees left jobless by the closures searched for ways to recoup lost wages Monday. (more...) http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1074603559290320.xml Shuttered hospitals on verge of a sale: A sale of Woodland Park and Eastmoreland would help speed resolution of pay claims of the dismissed workers The executive who ordered the shutdowns of two Portland hospitals earlier this month said Monday that he expects to finalize a deal by the end of the week to sell at least one of the facilities and possibly both. (more...) http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1075208257170910.xml Hospital's prognosis mixed: Willamette Falls, a small operation in a land of giants, has cash reserves but faces increasing competition OREGON CITY -- These are tough times for Oregon's hospitals, especially for small independent operators such as Willamette Falls Hospital. The closures this month of Woodland Park and Eastmoreland hospitals in Portland show how difficult it can be for small hospitals to succeed, battling huge competitors, new rivals and an unsteady economy. But Willamette Falls Hospital, one of two independent hospitals remaining in the Portland area, is generally healthy. (more...) http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouth/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/1075208781170910.xml Bush says Medicare tab to soar WASHINGTON -- President Bush's new budget projects the Medicare overhaul he just signed will be one-third more costly than estimated and this year's federal deficit will surge past a half-trillion dollars for the first time, administration and congressional officials said Thursday. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/30/a1.medicare.0130.html Small Business: Owners lobby for group health plans NEW YORK -- In his State of the Union address, President Bush gave some hope to small-business owners struggling with the soaring costs of health insurance. Bush called on Congress to approve the creation of association health plans, or AHPs, which allow small companies to band together and buy insurance at much cheaper rates than they are able to get on their own. Small business advocates have long lobbied for passage of AHP legislation; last year, the House easily approved an AHP bill, but the measure didn't make it out of the Senate. Many small-business lobbyists are hopeful that with Bush's endorsement, AHPs will make it through Congress this year. One of the most vocal pro-AHP groups is the Associated Builders and Contractors, which represents 23,000 construction firms, most of them small businesses. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/26/g3.bz.health.0125.html Heal the Law, Then Health Care Commentary by Troyen A. Brennan and Philip K. Howard Across the country -- and this past week in Maryland -- doctors have been marching on state capitols to protest soaring medical malpractice premiums. The problem is real. Some doctors have been driven out of practice. Last year, for the first time, no graduates of the University of Maryland School of Medicine chose residencies in obstetrics, an area hard-hit by lawsuits. But what's the solution? Doctors, focusing on the symptom, want "caps" on non-economic damages (the portion of damages, beyond lost income and medical costs, for pain and suffering). Be careful what you ask for. Capping damages might slow the rise of insurance rates, but it would not cure the underlying disease: an ad hoc legal system that has infected health care with a debilitating distrust. This distrust has spawned a culture of secrecy and waste in "defensive medicine," undermining the quality of care and contributing to skyrocketing costs and reduced patient access. (more...) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43373-2004Jan23.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEARBY DEVELOPMENTS Rethinking land use: Gov. Kulongoski shakes up LCDC Register-Guard Editorial Gov. Ted Kulongoski has developed an aggressive strategy for putting his imprint on state government. By shaking up powerful boards and commissions, the governor has offered his strongest show of leadership so far. Kulongoski already has reconfigured four state boards and commissions. The latest to fall under his reformist gaze is the Land Conservation and Development Commission, which oversees Oregon's land use policy. The governor has nominated five new members to the seven-member panel, which will appoint a permanent department director. Kulongoski's move drew predictable fire from property rights activists who accused the governor of loading the commission with new members sympathetic to Oregon's landmark land use planning system, which has protected the state's quality of life for three decades. Oregonians should hope that's exactly what the governor intends. They should also hope the changes don't play into the hands of a property rights crowd that has long sought to dismantle the land use system. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/26/ed.edit.lcdcchanges.phn.0126.html Walgreens sets its sites on Thurston Pharmaceutical giant Walgreens will make its debut in Springfield this summer. The new Walgreens -- one of 450 stores the Deerfield, Ill.-based company plans to open nationwide in 2004 -- will be located at 58th and Main streets and could be on site as early as August. Ashley DeForest, a city planner assigned to the project, said Walgreens finalized its site plan review and a development agreement was signed Jan. 23. And the wheels are in motion for a building permit. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/30/business/business02.txt Coburg taking necessary steps to grow Commentary by Judy Volta Sometimes Lane County cities are like family members. You have the oldest, the ones in the middle and the youngest, all trying to fit into the family order and decide who Mom (Lane County) loves best. Coming from a family of seven, I understand these dynamics well. If I could play shrink, I would classify Eugene as the oldest sister (obviously) and Springfield as the next in line, but only by a fraction. (You know how it is with those kids born 10 months apart.) There are all the other little children, from Veneta to Creswell, Cottage Grove to Oakridge. You get the idea. Then there is Coburg: a lovely little town of antique shops and historic houses, or a bustling industrial area just off Interstate 5 with the consequent traffic, or a community whose school forever seems to be on the Eugene School District's chopping block for potential closure. Coburg is all of those things -- and more. She is the little sister of promise, and yet she is experiencing sharp growing pains that need to be addressed soon. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/28/a11.ed.col.coburg.0128.html Revised power proposal raises red flags Commentary by Tom Lininger At a public meeting on Dec. 17, 2003, a group called West Cascade Energy LLC presented plans to build a huge new power plant two miles north of Coburg. The plant would burn natural gas. It would release exhaust through 200-foot smokestacks. The plant would cost $485 million to build. Most of this money would come from an out-of-state corporation that would be the plant's sole owner The proposal unveiled in December is very different from the version that the proponents had originally discussed in 2001. Because the proposal has evolved so much, it merits close scrutiny, even by those who may have been comfortable with the original version. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/02/01/b1.ed.col.lininger.0201.html Review arena plans: Hefty price tag far exceeds original estimates Register-Guard Editorial Pretend for a moment that you're planning to build a new home for somewhere between $90,000 and $130,000. You choose a site, one that presents some complications. Then your developer delivers the bad news: the cost has jumped to $165,000. You sit down and do the math, figuring you've got $130,000 to spend and that you can afford to borrow to make up the difference. Two more months pass and the developer calls with more bad news. The cost is now approaching $200,000 -- and the builder still hasn't turned a spade of dirt. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/31/ed.edit.uoarena.phn.0131.html Council doesn't buy in just yet to plan to purchase more land As they say in real estate: location, location, location. In this case, right next door to the Eugene Public Works Department's maintenance yard and office complex on Roosevelt Boulevard. We're talking about 4.79 acres here, and it can be ours -- property of the city -- for the today-only price of $1.6 million plus change. Public works officials want the land. They maintained during a City Council meeting last week that it would meet expansion needs at the yard for at least the next 20 years, and said the purchase price -- suggested by an appraiser hired by the city and the property's owner -- isn't likely to get any better. But several city councilors questioned both the price and the expenditure. Councilor Bonny Bettman pointed out that in its recent search for potential hospital sites, the city found that similar industrial-zoned land in the same neighborhood was available for anywhere from $120,000 to $140,000 per acre -- not the $300,000 per acre being sought by its present owner, the local Giustina family. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/02/01/c1.cr.citybeat.0201.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION LTD considering bus service cutbacks CORRECTION (ran 1/29/04): The Lane Transit District receives payroll tax revenue at the rate of 6 cents per $1,000 of participating employers' payroll. A story on Page D1 on Wednesday misstated the rate. The Lane Transit District may eliminate as many as four bus routes in September and make significant cutbacks to several others to offset rising costs and stagnant revenues. The LTD board has begun hacking 3 percent from its $24 million operating budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year -- and the exercise could become even worse in 2005-06 with the possibility of an additional 10 percent to 12 percent reduction. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/28/d1.cr.ltdcutbacks.0128.html LTD budget woes force cut in hours, bus routes Faced with a $1.8 million deficit in the next three fiscal years, Lane Transit District plans to cut bus routes and hours this fall. Revenue from state payroll taxes, the district's main source of cash, has declined steadily as the unemployment rate has grown. The reductions are necessary to balance the district's $24 million operating budget. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/30/local/news06.txt City to move ahead on road issues In a word, Eugene's answer to Lane County regarding the funding of street maintenance programs is yes. Yes, the city would welcome a move by the county to distribute an estimated $1.4 million in state transportation funding next year among all Lane County municipalities. Yes, Eugene would support a jointly funded, external review of possibilities for a city/county sharing of services or facilities. And yes, the city will ask the county's board of commissioners to consider all options for additional road fund money -- including a countywide gasoline tax and a vehicle registration fee for all county car and truck owners. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/29/d3.cr.transportation.0129.html Spanning the Willamette The drop-dead date is Sept. 5, and there's plenty at stake. Hamilton Construc-tion Co. is the general contractor building a temporary detour bridge on Interstate 5. For every day the bridge crew finishes ahead of schedule, Hamilton picks up $20,000 for each day. For every day they are late, they are penalized the same amount. The crew, toiling 50 hours a week, night and day, figures to share in the reward money if the deadline is met. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/28/business/business01.txt Bridge update Work continues on the Interstate 5 detour bridges over the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. The monthly public tours of the work sites also will take place later this week. Also, the open sections of the bike path on the Willamette will shift on Monday. The footings are nearly complete for the detour bridge over the Willamette. The contractor is beginning to build the columns and cross beams that will support the bridge spans. Work also continues on footings and columns for the detour bridge in the area between Franklin Boulevard and I-5. Periodic lane closures will take place on Franklin as work progresses in that area. The Canoe Canal Trail in Alton Baker Park will be closed to bike and pedestrian traffic for about a week so the contractor can set the beams for the center span over the Canoe Canal. The Riverfront Bike Trail, on the north bank of the Willamette River under the I-5 bridge, will be open. Signs will point people to the open paths. Work also continues on the McKenzie River Bridge. The footings on the north bank of the river are complete and work has begun on the columns. Workers are injecting epoxy into cracks on the northbound Spores Bridge as part of the strengthening of that span. Motorists should be aware of heavy construction vehicle traffic in two areas: on North Walnut Road in Alton Baker Park, off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Autzen Stadium, and on McKenzie View Drive near Coburg Road. Cyclists and pedestrians using trails in Alton Baker Park should watch for trucks and other construction equipment near Franklin Boulevard and the railroad tracks. Public tours, which are held on the first Thursday of each month, will take place this week. The tour of the Willamette site leaves from East Alton Baker Park/Eastgate Woodlands, at the corner of Poltava and Walnut streets in Springfield, at 9 a.m. The McKenzie tour meets at Armitage Park at 11 a.m. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/02/01/c2.cr.bridgeupdate.0201.html Parkway costs already expensive The $100 million or more West Eugene Parkway hasn't even broken ground yet but it's already bleeding the city of money. The city spent $50,000 on the parkway last year, according to a city memo. Public works staff working on analyzing the many environmental impacts of the project spent $10,144. The rest was $39,913 in legal fees defending the controversial project. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#4 http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_29_04/news.html#4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANDIDATES FOR ELECTED OFFICE Morrison considers pros, cons of entering state Senate race Hear ye, hear ye -- contrary to the rumors that have been flying around for months, Lane County Commissioner Anna Morrison has not decided to run for the state Senate. On the other hand, she hasn't decided not to, either. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/30/d1.cr.countybeat.0130.html Piercy jumps into Eugene's mayoral race Former state Rep. Kitty Piercy was asked after she announced her candidacy for Eugene mayor on Tuesday if she had garnered any endorsements yet, and she broke into a wide grin. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/28/d1.cr.piercy.0128.html Slant Kitty Piercy filled two conference rooms at the library with several hundred supporters when she announced this week that she's running for mayor. This is great news for Eugene in that we finally have a candidate who has not only a strong environmental record, but also proven leadership in education, social services and business. Her five years in the state Legislature and her time on numerous state and national boards make her a formidable candidate. Let's not forget how important this position is, particularly with a split and polarized council. The mayor can do a lot of good or a lot of damage with tie-breaking votes, agenda setting, committee appointments and working with county and state agencies. The mayor sets the tone for city government and it's time to crank it up an octave or two. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#slant http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_29_04/news.html#slant Eugene CPA seeks House seat Marlene "Mitzi" Colbath, a certified public accountant in Eugene, has announced that she is a candidate for the House District 8 seat vacated by former Rep. Floyd Prozanski. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/26/b2.cr.colbath.0126.html Slant Mitzi Colbath's decision to seek the District 8 House seat instead of a City Council seat means Ward 8 is up for grabs. So far only Chris Pryor has filed, but we're likely to see some late entries in the race. In Ward 7, Scott Meisner has filed for re-election and his only opponent so far is Andrea Ortiz, who has a solid record on human rights and social issues, but she's been silent on land use and the environment Ñ by far the biggest issues facing the council. We expect this to be at least a three-way race in this weirdly drawn ward that includes the Whiteaker and areas north around River Road. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#slant http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_29_04/news.html#slant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER NEWS See commissioners on the Internet Up to now, people have had only two ways to watch county commissioners in action -- driving to downtown Eugene to sit in on meetings or watching the sessions on Metro Television's cable channel 21. But now, many county residents can pop the corn, boot up the PC or Mac and enjoy the show from the vantage point of their home computers. Darrell Landrum, the county's Web services manager, said the idea for getting the commissioners' business onto the Internet came from former Commissioner Cindy Weeldreyer and the county's information officer, Melinda Kletzok. It took awhile to figure out the system, and then the county tried it out on employees' desk computers to work out the bugs. But now, it's available to everyone. Not only can people watch meetings in progress, they can call up past meetings, go right to the agenda item they're interested in and see exactly what happened. Go to the county's Web site at www.lanecounty.org, scroll down to the "county commissioners" section, click on "webcasts" and then call up "frequently asked questions, or FAQs" at the bottom of the screen to find out exactly how to make home computers ready to see the action. The necessary software -- Microsoft's Windows Media Player or its Mac equivalent -- can be downloaded right from the county's Web site. For information, call the county's information services division at 682-6789. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/30/d1.cr.countybeat.0130.html For Pete's Sake: Sorenson deserves kudos for leading commissioners in 2003 Commentary by Tom Lininger Last month I had lunch with a friend who follows local politics, and she asked me this question: "What do Democrats, dodos and dinosaurs have in common?" Hint: It's not the letter "D." I learned that Democrats our nearing extinction in local leadership posts. On Dec. 1, 2003, a check of voter registration records revealed that only two of Lane County's 12 mayors were Democrats. More than 200,000 Lane County residents lived in cities with Republican mayors last month, while only about 4,000 lived in cities with Democratic mayors (a 50-to-1 ratio!). So much for the myth of "Moscow on the Willamette," huh? Amidst the stampede of elephants in Lane County, one donkey stood his ground. Peter Sorenson did an admirable job chairing the Board of County Commissioners in 2003. Now that Sorenson is stepping down from the chair position this month, it's appropriate to reflect on the legacy of his leadership, because we rarely have a chance to see someone like Sorenson presiding over a local governmental body. (more...) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/views.html http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_29_04/views.html Springfield chamber honors local leaders SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce recently honored local leaders for their contributions to the city. Steve Moe, a Glenwood resident and chairman of the Planning Commission, was named First Citizen. B.J. Rogers was named Distinguished Citizen and Blake Hastings, Business Person of the Year. Cornerstone awards went to the Springfield Greeters Committee, Ed Collingwood, Kari Westlund of CVALCO and Neil Isaacson and Sam Horne, both of the Springfield School District. Tim Simdars was named Greeter of the Year and president's awards went to Ed Bergeron and City Councilor John Woodrow. For more information, call 746-1651. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/27/d2.cr.rg.briefs.0127.html Honored Citizens: The Springfield Chamber of Commerce names the First Citizen, Distinguished Citizen and Business Person of the Year The Springfield Chamber of Commerce throws the spotlight on local citizens at the 55th version of its Awards & Installation Banquet, citing the community works of Steve Moe, B.J. Rogers and Blake Hastings. Steve Moe He's a familiar face at City Hall, presiding over Planning Commission and regularly attending City Council meetings. (more...) B.J. Rogers Billy Junior "B.J." Rogers, 86, was honored and moved by the long-deserved acknowledgment of his commitment to the community. (more...) Blake Hastings Blake Hastings flew home from Las Vegas after learning he would be awarded Business Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/30/living/living01.txt Montana administrator gets Creswell's top job CRESWELL -- Mark Shrives of Hamilton, Mont., has been named the new city administrator here. He takes over for former Eugene City Manager Jim Johnson, who has been filling in on an interim basis since last summer when City Administrator Linda James was asked to resign. Shrives has been the city administrator in Hamilton, a town of 3,700 -- about the same size as Creswell -- for six years, Johnson said. He starts his new job Feb. 23 and will make a salary of $62,000 plus benefits. "Mark offered a number of advantages," Johnson said. "His reference checks were just excellent." City officials and councilors called 21 references in Hamilton, everyone from the mayor to the local newspaper reporter who covered the city, Johnson said. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/29/d3.cr.digest.0129.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS "Health Options Digest" is published once every week or so by the Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) as a service to the community. It is intended as an unbiased digest of news and opinion related to proposed changes in health care options for the community. The purpose of "Health Options Digest" is to inform, not editorialize. Please forward your copy of "Health Options Digest" to a friend. If you know of someone who should be on the CHOICES email list, or for questions about your subscription, send email to: rzako@efn.org Please visit our web site for info about how you can contact us, the local papers, elected officials, PeaceHealth and McKenzie-Willamette: http://www.efn.org/~choices