Health Options Digest
March 28, 2004
Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES)
In This Issue
From the Editor
Week in Review
During Spring Break week in Oregon, the 911 Commission hearings on terrorism, Richard Clarke and the implications for the presidential election dominated the news.
As such, some readers may have missed the news that the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, whose senior member is our own Congressman Peter DeFazio, approved a transportation funding package that includes $15 million for the I-5/Beltline interchange and $4 million for Bus Rapid Transit. As both these trasnsportation projects are critical to a new PeaceHealth hospital in the Gateway area, one could imagine that PeaceHealth officials are pleased by this news. But the funding isn't assured until the full Congress passes the bill and the president signs it.
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Looking Ahead
On Monday, the Springfield City Council will try to figure out how to balance its budget.
On Wednesday, the Lane County Board of Commissioners will discuss possible ways to share their road money to help cities patch potholes in streets.
Also on Wednesday, supplemental briefs are due to the Court of Appeals in the PeaceHealth case. Expect the attorneys to be burning the midnight oil.
Otherwise, it's a good time to get help the candidates of your choice for local, state or national office. Many of the local and state races will be decided in the May 18 primary. The national races and state initiatives will be decided in November. Under our representative form of government, who represents us has a great effect on the kind of government and the kind of community we have. It does make a difference and we can make a difference.
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Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org
Calendar
Monday, March 29 -- Springfield City Council
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
5:30 p.m., Work Session, Jesse Maine Room
1. Proposed Resources for the FY05 Budget.
See also: Springfield City Beat: Balancing the budget
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Wednesday, March 31 -- Lane County Board of Commissioners
Public Service Bldg., 125 East 8th Ave., Eugene, 682-4203
9:00 a.m., Regular Meeting, Commissioners' Conference Room
9. Public Works
b. Discussion: Regional Road Finance and Revenue Sharing Concepts.
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PeaceHealth
Letter: Land use vs. health care
| By William DiMarco, Junction City | March 26, 2004 |
It seems obvious that the primary excuse for government intervention in the affairs of local hospitals should be the health and welfare of the public. Unfortunately, that energy has been less productively spent using hospital siting as a political football for competing philosophies of land use and economic development.
PeaceHealth's primary excuse for pushing the siting envelope for its RiverBend campus has been to create the optimum healing environment. It might be in the greater public interest for local government organs to take them at their word and yield a little on land use in order to bargain for better public health.
A society, its governments and, of course, its hospitals are measured by how they care for their most vulnerable citizens. This does not only mean cute babies.
Local government and Peace- Health have a real opportunity to reverse the current state of affairs for a group of citizens for whom a benign and healing environment is critical. Let the county psychiatric hospital at the jail site -- which PeaceHealth was paid to run -- close, unmourned. Make new plans to serve community mental health needs in a better atmosphere. There will be ample space in the vacated Sacred Heart complex, if not at RiverBend. Indigence is often a symptom or result of mental illness and should not be treated in a discriminatory or punitive manner.
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Letter: Hospital offers impressive care
| By Tim Baxter, Eugene | March 27, 2004 |
My father-in-law died recently at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Many in town are disgusted by much of what the PeaceHealth machine does in our community. I like to do my own share of "Sacred Wallet" bashing.
However, in my several recent visits to hospitalized friends and loved ones at Sacred Heart, I've been privileged to witness the highest levels of competence and compassion. I don't doubt that affairs on the top floor are governed largely by politics -- that is, the dictates of the drive for power.
But at Four Main and other humbler settings -- where mere suffering and mercy play out -- those in charge at Sacred Heart take their cues first from the example of Christ.
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Cost of Health Care
Changing face of care: Closure of the county psychiatric hospital ushers in a new era
By Tim Christie
The Register-Guard | March 27, 2004 |
Kelli Ray hasn't seen the inside of the Lane County Psychiatric Hospital in years, but it provided a critical safe haven when she was younger and wandering the wilds of mental illness.
"When I was unstable, I really needed the unit," she said. "It's so safe in there. You're going to recover in an environment like that. ... It's very regimented and routine, and it's very calming to be in a place like that."
For 16 years, thousands of acutely mentally ill people spent time in the concrete-block, secure facility attached to the county jail. Some showed up voluntarily when they started to hallucinate, harm themselves or felt suicidal; others were deemed a danger to themselves or others and were locked up against their will.
But the hospital closed its doors for good on Friday after discharging its final two patients. Lane County officials announced in January plans to shutter the 12-bed hospital, citing a rising tide of red ink due to state budget cuts.
The closure has forced community mental health providers to develop a new way to care for the 400 acutely ill mental patients who used the hospital every year. The idea is to surround people in crisis with intense, community-based treatment to keep them from being hospitalized in the first place, and to get those people who are hospitalized back into the community more quickly. (more...)
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Some pay more in Medicare plans
Less government money to managed care in Oregon results in higher insurance premiums
Boaz Herzog
The Oregonian | March 24, 2004 |
Tens of thousands of Oregon senior citizens are being shortchanged out of a chance for significantly lower premiums and more benefits through the Medicare insurance program this year, consumers, doctors and health plans say.
To spur privatization of Medicare, the federal program this month boosted payments to private insurers offering managed-care Medicare plans. The increases nationally averaged 10.6 percent from last year.
However, in Oregon, managed-care plans say the increased payments from the government are much lower -- typically in the low single digits. (more...)
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Commentary: The rising cost of medical insurance
| The Albany Democrat-Herald | March 26, 2004 |
At least two factors are driving up the price of medical care in Oregon and the United States: The increasing sophistication of medical technology, and the increasing use that is made of medical care using this technology.
Together these factors are threatening to kill the notion of medical insurance. Nobody -- not employers and certainly not employees, and not the government either -- has the money to keep covering this mounting tab.
The Oregon School Boards Association reports that insurance cost hikes have averaged 19 percent a year for the last four years. Other employers offering health benefits are in the same boat.
The school boards association says that according to projections, some school districts will face a price tag for one employee's health insurance that equals a new teacher's annual pay. Something has to be done, and don't say universal coverage of everything, paid for through the government. The money is not there.
Instead, we have to start accepting the fact that we're mortal and quit spending so much money trying to postpone the inevitable. But we are doing the opposite.
Certain procedures are just too expensive for insurance to cover them. Life may be priceless, but the bill is getting too high.
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Medicare premiums may spike
By Larry Lipman
Cox News Service | March 26, 2004 |
WASHINGTON -- Medicare beneficiaries could face a whopping 17 percent premium hike next year followed by several years of substantial increases, the program's chief actuary said Thursday.
The projected $11.50-a-month increase -- to $78.10 from the current $66.60 -- would be the largest since Medicare premiums began at $3-a-month in 1967. The exact increase will be announced this fall.
Medicare chief actuary Richard Foster said the increase would be due primarily to Congress' decision last year to block a scheduled 4.5 percent cut in doctors' fees for 2004 and 2005. Instead, as part of the Medicare prescription drug bill, Congress mandated that doctors' payments would increase 1.5 percent each year. (more...)
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Nearby Developments
Springfield Loses Convention Space
By Craig Sklar
KVAL | March 26, 2004 |
SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield's largest convention center will close tomorrow. It will be torn down to make room for a new big box retail store.
It could have an effect on the city's ability to draw events and tax dollars to town. (more...)
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City eyes urban renewal districts
By Christopher Stollar
The Springfield News | March 24, 2004 |
Springfield city councilors are inching closer to a plan to redevelop the downtown core and the Glenwood riverfront.
During a work session Monday night, councilors tentatively agreed to move forward with implementation of urban renewal districts in the two areas. (more...)
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Springfield City Beat: Balancing the budget
| The Register-Guard | March 27, 2004 |
Figuring out how to come $500,000 closer to balancing next year's city budget will be the topic of a 90-minute Springfield City Council work session that begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Jesse Maine Room at City Hall, 225 Fifth St.
On the table Monday night will be the possibility of increasing planning and ambulance fees and a proposed municipal utility tax.
The city's land development fees now cover about 35 percent of the planning costs. The council will consider raising that percentage to 50 percent, 75 percent or 100 percent, generating between $204,090 and $828,069 more in revenue.
Under the proposal, planning fees for a 40,000-square-foot parcel could go from $5,894 to $9,000 -- but would actually decrease for a 10,000-square-foot parcel, from $2,024 to $2,000. Increasing the ambulance rates -- under the complex proposal, the base rate for a call would go from $715 to $795, in addition to other increases -- could result in $452,656 in new revenue.
Even more complex is the utility tax proposal, which could generate, depending on how it's structured, between $150,000 and $250,000 a year for the city. The tax might resemble Eugene's 2 percent telecommunications license tax or could be a 5 percent tax on all utilities, replacing utility franchise fees.
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Trust will complete purchase of island
By Scott Maben
The Register-Guard | March 24, 2004 |
The McKenzie River Trust will finish buying Green Island this year thanks to a $450,000 federal grant. The purchase of the 856-acre parcel, used for farming most of the past century, is the start of an ambitious habitat conservation effort on the northern edge of the Eugene-Springfield metro area.
The money is part of a $960,000 grant for several southern Willamette Valley projects and comes from the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. (more...)
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Commentary: Say no to Wal-Mart expansion
| By Joan Kleban | March 25, 2004 |
Small stores in Eugene face an increasing threat from Wal-Mart, which has filed a site-review plan to expand its existing discount store on West 11th Avenue and Commerce Street into a "supercenter.''
In an Feb. 11 article, Register-Guard reporter Joe Mosley reports that "the 2-inch-thick site-review plan filed with the city planning department does not specifically mention a purpose for the expansion, but a diagram showing Wal-Mart's signage for the expanded store identifies it as a 'supercenter.' '' The proposal would expand the store to 217,951 square feet, from the current store's 148,645 square feet.
Although the proliferation of giant "box stores" has been on the Eugene City Council agenda for some time, the proposed expansion will most likely sail through the approval process. Wal-Mart already has complied with the state requirements and wetland studies for its site. Mosley reports that there will be "limited opportunities for public comment," because the expansion is already zoned for general commercial use.
Eugene's Planning Department handles the review process, with the final decision falling to Planning Director Tom Coyle. In the site review, the city planners will check to see that Wal-Mart's proposal fits into the current criteria for this commercial location.
Eugene residents have a crucial opportunity to act to slow this insidious conversion of our own unique city. The Eugene City Council can support sustainable locally owned businesses if it legislates to limit the size of retail outlets in our city.
As the planning director, Coyle needs to hear our voices: We want to plan for a future that is sustainable here, at home, in Eugene. The economic depression in Lane County, in Oregon and the Northwest can be reversed with grass-roots, locally owned small businesses run by enthusiastic people who want to preserve our unique local choices. (more...)
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Letter: No need to develop riverfront
| By Pam Driscoll, Cottage Grove | March 27, 2004 |
I have to write and respond to the March 17 guest viewpoint regarding riverfront development.
Eugene has a beautiful, naturally developed riverfront just the way it is. The last thing it needs is a bunch of buildings and roads to cover it up.
Take a walk along the bike path, cross the Amazon foot bridge. Play Frisbee in the field. Sit along the banks and watch the wildlife. I'm afraid our city is being run by developers who profit from construction, and they won't stop until they get their way.
We need to pass campaign finance reform so our politicians obey the will of the people, not big money who pays for their campaigns. Sign petition No. 53 to help stop legal bribery in Oregon. This is just one example of the corrupt influence of big money in politics.
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Transportation
Editorial: Traffic circle best choice for north Springfield
| The Springfield News | March 24, 2004 |
Springfield City Council, by a narrow 3-2 margin, approved the county's first two-lane roundabout -- to be constructed at Hayden Bridge Road and Pioneer Parkway as part of the MLK Parkway extension. The deal is not sealed. Roundabout review and consent is still forthcoming from the Lane County commissioners.
The project is set for construction in 2005 -- a whopping $9.3 million worth -- but the design, which includes the controversial roundabout, must be approved before the first jackhammer hits the pavement.
Councilors Christine Lundberg and John Woodrow cast the "no" votes against the roundabout. It is their opinion that the European-inspired design will be dangerous, confusing, and will inspire traffic snarls. We disagree, if you consider the only other option: a signaled intersection.
A roundabout will not send Springfielders back to driver's ed classes. There is nothing difficult about veering a car around a corner or merging into traffic lanes -- we do it all the time. After all, if those madcap Europeans can negotiate a circle, we can.
Another concern was emergency vehicle routing through a roundabout. How could it be any more difficult? Screaming into a signaled intersection is harrowing, at best. A roundabout couldn't make it any worse.
There were other aspects of the design that council took up. A room-full of citizens made it known they were not interested in giving up any more property to this design, and they wanted a soundwall erected. Council approved -- appropriately -- both of those aspects to the design.
We ask the county to set the roundabout in motion. Springfield could use a unique landmark.
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Poll: Roundabout
| The Springfield News | March 26, 2004 |
The new question, posted Friday, March 26, asks "City Council approved the building of a roundabout at the MLK Parkway extension. Lane County will vote on it soon. How do you feel?"
To vote on the poll log your answer on The Springfield News Web site at www.springfieldnews. com. You can also e-mail your answer to news@springfieldnews. com, fax your response to 746-0633, or call the editor at 746-1671 ext. 311.
The Springfield News poll is an unscientific sampling of local opinion, the sole purpose being to provide readers with an opportunity to weigh in on issues of local concern.
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DeFazio secures $15 million for Belt Line
By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News | March 26, 2004 |
The lobbying efforts of Rep. Peter DeFazio have paid off for Springfield and the Belt Line/Interstate 5 interchange project.
The Democratic congressman, who hails from Springfield, has secured $19 million for improvement projects at the interchange and $4 million for Lane Transit District's bus rapid transit vehicles. (more...)
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Courthouse road money gets OK
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | |
Street money for Eugene's proposed federal courthouse is on the move.
A House of Representatives committee on Wednesday approved a $275 billion transportation funding bill, including $6 million to pay for street improvements around Eugene's planned Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse.
"There's nothing like some good news from Washington to perk you up," Eugene City Manager Dennis Taylor said.
The bill will be sent to the full House for approval, then to a House and U.S. Senate conference committee before going to the president for signature.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., pushed for the $6 million earmark on behalf of local officials. The Springfield lawmaker succeeded in getting other local projects in the bill, including $15 million for the Interstate 5/Belt Line Road interchange, $4 million for rapid transit buses for Lane Transit District, and $1.9 million for the South Bank Trail extension. (more...)
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Editorial: Paving the way: Courthouse road funding moving in Congress
| The Register-Guard | March 26, 2004 |
Eugene's long-planned federal courthouse is a definite exception to the "Field of Dreams" axiom, "If you build it, they will come."
The $70 million Wayne Lyman Morse Federal Courthouse promises to be an architectural masterpiece and the epicenter of federal court and other activities throughout the region. But significant street improvements are also essential to successful development of the new courthouse district -- so much so that federal officials at one point put the project on hold, in part citing the need to nail down funding for the street projects.
A critical hurdle was cleared earlier this week when the Transportation Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved an appropriations bill that includes $6 million to pay for the courthouse street improvements. Intended to accommodate an estimated 42,000 cars a day, the improvements include an extension of Sixth Avenue east to intersect with Franklin Boulevard at Hilyard Street, the widening of Eighth Avenue between Mill Street and Hilyard Street, and the extension of Ferry Street north from Eighth Avenue to the new Sixth Avenue. (more...)
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County kicks off Jasper Road Extension project
By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News | March 26, 2004 |
After years of planning, phase one of the Jasper Road Extension project will begin on Monday, April 5.
Eugene Sand & Gravel, which was awarded the bid for the long-awaited, $2.4 million project, will kick off construction beginning at the northbound on-ramp to Highway 126. (more...)
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Letter: Let's fix our own problems
| By W. Bruce Mulligan, Eugene | March 27, 2004 |
Paul Holbo accurately chronicled the long-standing deterioration of Eugene streets, which have been the focus of extensive study by the City Council and budget committee (Commentary, March 21).
Having participated as a member of the Eugene Budget Committee and citizen subcommittee formed to address street maintenance, I agree with Holbo that we'd better get used to the potholes because they will only get worse. I believe they are but a symptom of a larger problem underlying not only our streets but all of our vital public services. That problem is the "someone else" who should pay to fix things.
In the case of street maintenance, the finger first pointed to Lane County and second to the state for gas tax revenue. During its short life, the concept of a transportation utility fee generated hot debate about who should pay. Regardless of where one stood on the issue, fingers frequently pointed at "someone else" who should pay.
As a community, we have a jail we cannot fully staff, a partially empty juvenile justice facility, discontinued community mental health and human services, as well as inadequate staffing to patrol our streets.
Holbo suggests we ask candidates what they intend to do about fixing our streets. I would suggest that the "someone else" is ultimately us. I believe we as a community have the resources, if not the will, to come up with our own solutions rather than waiting on "someone else" to do so.
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Elections
Eugene City Beat: Chamber of Commerce endorses candidates
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | March 28, 2004 |
Flowers are blooming and, with an election approaching, lucky candidates are picking up endorsements.
Mayoral candidate Nancy Nathanson and four candidates for City Council -- just one of them an incumbent -- have been endorsed by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Nathanson, a city councilor running for mayor against Kitty Piercy and three lesser-known candidates, is the "best-qualified candidate," the chamber's political action committee said earlier this month. "Her votes on local business issues, knowledge and understanding of city government and her proven commitment to build consensus will allow her to effectively lead our community."
Piercy, hoping to get a major business group endorsement, said she was disappointed in the chamber's decision.
"In our community, it is often portrayed that (candidates) are either for jobs or for the environment," she said. "It is my desire to let people know that I am for jobs and I am for the environment."
Piercy said she has gathered a few endorsements of her own, including the Oregon Natural Resources Council and the Lane County Labor Council. (more...)
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