Health Options Digest: April 18, 2004

Week in Review
    There wasn't much news last week directly related to hospital siting issues. According to Jaime Sherman in The Springfield News: "Construction of the hospital between Game Farm Road and the McKenzie River is on hold as lawyers for PeaceHealth, the city of Springfield and project opponents wade through the legal system."
    Meanwhile, McKenzie-Willamette can't move forward with its new hospital until it resolves issues with a Certificate of Need (CON) -- and PeaceHealth appears to be working to frustrate McKenzie-Willamette every step of the way.
    According to a recent story in The Oregonian: "Oregon's hospital systems are going on a building binge -- and, like it or not, health care consumers and taxpayers will foot the bill."
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Looking Ahead
    The Oregon Court of Appeals isn't expected to rule on plans for a new PeaceHealth hospital in Springfield until May or even June. Just sit tight.
    But the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) is may rule soon on Eugene's amended zoning that would allow a new hospital just about anywhere in the city. Given that McKenzie-Willamette 1) didn't ask for the amended zoning and 2) won't be able to move forward with a new hospital until it resolves issues around a Certficate of Need, we don't see what the hurry is. But LUBA may opt to delay its ruling in the Eugene case until the Court of Appeals rules in the Springfield case. The two cases are related because they both consider whether a hospital can be built as an "auxiliary use" in a residential area, i.e., if a hospital supports the residents of a neighborhood.
    While the attorneys and judges work behind the scenes to sort out the legal issues, candidates for county commissioners, mayors and city councilors are moving to center stage as we approach the May primary election. The more voters elect local officials who make wise -- and legal -- decisions, the less need there is to appeal the decisions of those elected officials.
    Springfield voters, who have a choice only in the Ward 6 City Council race, should check out the Springfield Chamber of Commerce's forum on Wednesday.
    Eugene voters, who face several contested races, should check out the League of Women Voters' and City Club of Eugene's forum on Friday (and the following Tuesday).
    We are not aware of any forums this week for the Lane County commissioner races.
    Lastly, note that the Oregon Department of Human Services will be hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the rules for a Certificate of Need on Monday, May 24th, at 1:00 p.m. in Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Ave., Eugene. An additional hearing is scheduled the same week in Portland.
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Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org

Calendar

Monday, April 19 -- Springfield City Council
    Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
    Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
    5:15 p.m., City Council meeting with Finance/Judiciary Committee, Jesse Maine Room
    1. City manager evaluation.
    5:45 p.m., Work Session, Jesse Maine Room
    1. Planning Commission Interviews.
    2. Street Light Standards.
    7:00 p.m., Regular Meeting, Council Meeting Room
    Public Hearings
    1. Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Recommended
    Funding Allocations.
    Business from the Council
    1. Committee Appointments
        a. Historic Commission Appointment and Confirmation.
        b. Planning Commission Appointments.
    2. Business from Council
        a. Committee Reports
        b. Other Business
    Business from the City Manager
    1. Lane County Jail Contract.
    2. Approval of Street Light Standards Deviation Resolution.
    (agenda...)
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Tuesday, April 20 -- Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee
    11:30 a.m., Saul Room, Third Floor, Atrium Building, 99 West 10th Ave., Eugene
    Contact: Richie Weinman, 682-5533, Richie.d.weinman@ci.eugene.or.us
    1. Welcome, Introductions, Committee Processes
    2. Work Plan Review
    3. What is Urban Renewal and Tax Increment Financing
    4. Status of Eugene's Two Urban Renewal Districts, and the City Council's Role as the Board of Directors
    5. Scheduling Future Meetings
    6. Comments from the Public
    (agenda...)
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Tuesday, April 20 -- Mayor's Committee on Economic Development
    Noon, Sloat Room, First Floor, Atrium Building, 99 West 10th Ave., Eugene
    Contact: Tom Coyle, 682-6077, tom.g.coyle@ci.eugene.or.us
    1. Welcome
    2. Presentation from Local Experts on Obstacles and Opportunities in Eugene
    3. Committee's Next Steps
    (agenda...)
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Tuesday, April 20 -- Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee
    3:00 p.m., McNutt Room, City Hall, 777 Pearl St., Eugene
    Glen Svendsen, 682-5008, glen.l.svendsen@ci.eugene.or.us
    1. Continue Discussion of Public Agency Space Needs, from March Meeting
    2. Relation of City of Eugene Downtown City Space Plan to Other Agencies
    3. Potential Financing Alternatives for All Public Agencies and Timing
    4. Summary of Key Information and Agreements on Inter-Agency Plans and Cooperative Opportunities
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Tuesday, April 20 -- Joint Planning Commissions of Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County
    6:00 p.m., Library Meeting Room, City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
    Contact: Kurt Yeiter, 682-8379, kurt.m.yeiter@ci.eugene.or.us
    1. Work Session and Public Hearing
        A. Amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan, Chapter III, Section G. Public Facilities and Services Element, and Chapter V Glossary
        B. Amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Public Facilities and Services Plan (PFSP)
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Tuesday, April 20 -- Lane County Psychiatric Hospital
Psychiatric hospital closure is meeting topic

The Register-Guard

April 18, 2004

    The closure of the Lane County Psychiatric Hospital is the subject of a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lane County Mental Health building, 2411 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Eugene.
    David Allison, manager of the Johnson Unit, the psychiatric ward at Sacred Heart Medical Center, will explain how the hospital plans to accommodate the increased patient load. He also will talk about changes in the mental health system over the years and how budget cuts have affected both quality and quantity of services.
    A question-and-answer period will follow his talk. The talk is sponsored by the Lane County chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
    For additional information, contact NAMI at 343-7688 or info@namilane.org or http://www.namilane.org.
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Wednesday, April 21 -- Eugene City Council
    Noon, Work Session, McNutt Room, City Hall, 777 Pearl St., Eugene
    Contact: Lynda Rose, 682-5017, lynda.l.rose@ci.eugene.or.us
    1. Work Session: Comcast Cable Franchise Fee Review
    2. Action: An Ordinance Concerning Multiple-Unit Housing and Amending Section 2.945 of the Eugene Code, 1971
    3. Action: An Ordinance Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan (Metro Plan) To Adopt As Part of Periodic Review Metro Plan Housekeeping Revisions; a New Metro Plan Chapter III-C: Environmental Resources Element; a New Metro Plan Diagram; Adopting Savings and Severability Clauses; and Providing an Effective Date
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Wednesday, April 21 -- Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Candidates to speak

By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard

April 17, 2004

    A public forum for the four candidates running in the May 18 election for the Ward 6 Springfield City Council seat will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Springfield City Hall.
    The four are: Debi Baker, manager of Orbis Cascade Alliance at the University of Oregon; Deborah Davis, assistant vice president and manager of the downtown branch of US Bank in Springfield; David Jacobson, social studies teacher at Thurston High School; and Joe Pishioneri, a Lane County sheriff's deputy.
    They're running to fill the slot left vacant by Tim Malloy, who moved to Washington state.
    The forum is sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Moderator will be Erik Jensen, chair of the chamber's Legislative Issues Committee.
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Friday, April 23 -- City Club of Eugene
    11:50 a.m., Eugene Hilton, 66 East 6th Ave., Eugene
    The League of Women Voters of Lane County and the City Club of Eugene have planned two programs to spotlight all of the City Council candidates in this primary season. The programs are designed to give the public the maximum opportunity to become acquainted with the candidates and their positions.
    The Friday forum has been organized to allow each candidate to answer and ask questions of the opposing candidate. The League of Women Voters will moderate the discussion and pose some questions to all the candidates. Members of both organizations will have the chance to ask questions.
    On Tuesday, we will meet in not one, but four, locations. Each location is in or near a ward that is electing a city councilor this year. Each will have a host from the League and a host from City Club. If you want to chat with your future city councilor up close and personal, this will be your chance.
    All candidates have been invited to both programs.
    Ward 1: Bonny Bettman, Tom Slocum, Adam Walsh
    Ward 2: Maurie Denner, Betty Taylor
    Ward 7: Scott Meisner, Andrea Ortiz
    Ward 8: Chris Pryor
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PeaceHealth

Legal system keeps hospital officials stalled but hopeful

By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News

April 14, 2004

    PeaceHealth officials have their fingers crossed that construction of Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend will begin this summer.
    Construction of the hospital between Game Farm Road and the McKenzie River is on hold as lawyers for PeaceHealth, the city of Springfield and project opponents wade through the legal system.
    The Oregon Court of Appeals is set to rule on a land use appeal in mid-May, either delaying or kick starting construction of PeaceHealth's $350 million medical complex in Springfield. (more...)
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Letter: PeaceHealth used fuzzy math

By Mike Tucker, Junction City

April 12, 2004

    I read with amusement Brian Terrett's comment regarding the exorbitant price paid by PeaceHealth for the 12.5 acres owned by Arlie & Co. at the future RiverBend site (Register-Guard, April 3): "When you divide the price over the next 100 years, it is fairly minuscule," stated Terrett.
    With this reasoning in mind, maybe they should have a 200-year plan and the land would cost only half as much. Or would it still be $4.15 million?
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Letter: PPO plan allows hospital choice

By John Fluent, Eugene

April 12, 2004

    Much like the effects of a snake bite, the repercussions of the John Musumeci-PeaceHealth squeeze on McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center are reportedly now causing layoffs of three dozen members of McKenzie-Willamette's nursing staff.
    Not only did PeaceHealth have a land deal with Musumeci, PeaceHealth also had a deal with Regence BlueCross of Oregon to eliminate McKenzie-Willamette from receiving income from Regence BlueCross.
    For that very reason, my wife and I chose to eliminate Regence Blue- Cross insurance from our monthly budget. We now have enrolled in a lower-cost and well advertised PPO instead of HMO Oregon.
    The only difference we have been able to determine is the PPO offers much more flexibility at a lower monthly cost. My wife and I can now be treated at McKenzie-Willamette without any restrictions.
    Perhaps other Lane County families may choose to do the same.
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McKenzie-Willamette/Triad

Fast and Painless Update
Update on Hospital Certificate of Need

By Rosie Pryor
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center

    Today, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Health Services, released a revised certificate of need (CON) rule providing for accelerated review of hospital relocation. The Department will take comment on the proposed rule amendment in a public hearing slated Monday, May 24th, at 1:00 p.m. in Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene. An additional hearing is scheduled the same week in Portland.
    This process started over a year ago when McKenzie-Willamette sought clarification about CON requirements for our new venture with Triad and for the potential need to strategically relocate away from PeaceHealth's proposed RiverBend complex in Springfield.
    DHS confirmed PeaceHealth's move to Springfield was not subject to CON review because of its dominant size, but said McKenzie-Willamette WOULD have to submit to review if we relocated outside 97477 or 97478 zip codes. State staff said CON laws and administrative rules were never intended to impede the successful operation of existing hospitals and recommended McKenzie-Willamette ask DHS to amend the rules to level the playing field.
    Under the proposed rule released today, McKenzie-Willamette would have to submit to a number of requirements. Examples include not offerring new services for a period of 3 years after relocating, without full CON approval; demonstrating to DHS satisfaction that PeaceHealth's relocation will have an adverse economic impact on us, and loss of our services will result in significant decrease in competition and consumer choice in Lane County; and siting our replacement hospital no further than half the distance between PeaceHealth's Hilyard site and RiverBend.
    The proposed rule requires DHS to hold at least one public meeting in Eugene/Springfield at which any person could speak. McKenzie-Willamette would have to provide DHS a resolution from the county board of commissioners or the city council of the jurisdiction where the replacement hospital is built supporting our relocation, and proof that zoning approval for the replacement facility has been applied for or obtained.
    Reaching this point has taken far longer than state officials anticipated. Though the amended rules don't directly affect them, PeaceHealth hired legal counsel and consistently objected to any changes in CON rules. Though they are not required to submit to CON review of their relocation, PeaceHealth asked the state legislature to help interfere with McKenzie-Willamette by having a lobbyist make a late night, end-of-session attempt last summer to "gut and stuff" a bill to codify existing administrative rules. Thankfully, that effort failed.
    We are currently studying the proposed rule. It's not immediately clear if it will be an option for McKenzie-Willamette. The 3-year moratorium on adding services without undergoing full CON review could impede McKenzie-Willamette's ability to compete effectively to serve patients (Full CON review contains a one-year moratorium.) And we're seeking clarification about the requirements to locate within a specific distance of PeaceHealth's Hilyard or RiverBend hospitals.
    Should accelerated review not prove an option for us, we can apply for full review.
    Questions? Please feel free to give me a call. Thanks for your continued support.
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Letter: Hospital helped mom and baby

By Grace Wick, Eugene

April 14, 2004

    There seems to be a myth in this community that bigger is better. The slogan at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is "We love taking care of you." My experience is that this is far more than a slogan, it is a way of life for the women who work in Women's Health and Birth Center.
    When my son arrived early and under stress, his need for oxygen alone would have caused him to be whisked away from me and landed him in the neonatal intensive care unit at a larger hospital. The nursery at McKenzie-Willamette was more than able to care for all the needs of my son, who spent the first week of his life under the constant care of these dedicated women. Not only was he never taken from me, but when it was time for me to check out and my son was not ready to go home, I was dropped from the census and allowed to stay in his room. Not for one moment were we separated.
    I could not have handled the stress of all his needs were it not for the fact that this hospital and the dedicated nursery staff went way beyond the call of duty to keep us together and see that we were well cared for. We could never properly thank the women who cared for us and the policies that McKenzie-Willamette has fought to uphold in keeping a newborn child and mother together.
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Cost of Health Care

Building on a medical future
Expanding hospital space in the Northwest for a growing, aging population could create another glut of beds and services, some experts say

By Boaz Herzog
The Oregonian

April 11, 2004

    Oregon's hospital systems are going on a building binge -- and, like it or not, health care consumers and taxpayers will foot the bill.
    Jockeying for market share, the state's biggest health systems are opening their coffers to fund an onslaught of projects to erect and refurbish hospitals and equip them with the latest high-tech gear.
    System administrators say they are scrambling to keep up with a growing and aging population that increasingly demands up-to-date and conveniently located care. They say they want to hire thousands of additional health care practitioners and ease the load on overburdened operating rooms.
    But how much is enough? (more...)
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Health insurance premiums crash down on middle class $9,086 average cost out of reach for many families

By Julie Appleby
USA Today

March 17, 2004

    Nancy Sherman Soleimani fears dropping her $1,200-a-month health insurance policy almost as much as she worries about how she'll continue to pay for it.
    Don Clingerman says his 62-year-old mother's retiree health coverage is so expensive -- $7,900 a year -- that he may recommend she drop it, gambling that she'll stay well until she's 65 and can get Medicare.
    Hank Sturma, 60, says he's been without a job -- and without insurance -- for about a year. Sturma says he can't afford the $325 a month it would cost to add him to the policy his wife has through her job at a nursing home.
    Rising health care costs are increasingly pressuring the middle class, adding a large and politically influential group to the category of those who fear they may soon have to do without. (more...)
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Entitlement Costs Are Expected to Soar

By Edmund L. Andrews and Robert Pear
The New York Times

March 19, 2004

Trustees for Medicare and Social Security will report that two entitlement programs will eventually need more than twice as much money as previously estimated; experts who helped prepare calculations say that new Medicare program for prescription drugs could in itself cost up to $7 trillion over next 75 years; annual reports on Social Security and Medicare will include new estimates showing that total gap between cost of promised benefits and revenues to pay for them is close to $50 trillion; by contrast, Bush administration estimated last year that long-term gap was $18 trillion over next 75 years (M) (more...)
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State probes health company

By Tim Christie
The Register-Guard

April 16, 2004

    State authorities are investigating claims that the physician-owned insurance company that administers the Oregon Health Plan in Lane County has unnecessarily delayed or denied requests for medical equipment.
    Patients and medical providers have complained that the Lane Individual Practice Association, known as LIPA, has delayed approval for medical equipment for so long that care is effectively denied; has refused to adequately explain why service has been denied; has treated people rudely; and has retaliated against patients who have complained, said Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene. (more...)
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Nearby Developments

City Council cool to library levy

By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard

April 13, 2004

    SPRINGFIELD -- The idea of a tax levy to restore services at the Springfield library received a chilly reception from the City Council on Monday.
    In a work session with the five-member Library Board, city councilors made it clear that voters are in no mood to save the library if that means seeing a new item on their property tax bills. (more...)
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Library fails in attempt to pad budget through levy

By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News

April 14, 2004

    "Find creative solutions" was the message city councilors sent the Springfield Library Board as members asked the city to put a library levy on the fall ballot.
    The library, like every other department within city government, is struggling to maintain services in the face of an ever-shrinking budget, but councilors said they were unwilling to ask property owners to pay more for the library services they currently receive. (more...)
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Council to award funds to groups in community

By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard

April 17, 2004

    The Springfield City Council will give away nearly a million dollars Monday night.
    The only catch is, you have to have already applied. The council will vote on distribution of $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds to as many as 13 organizations that have requested financial help for projects that benefit low- and moderate-income community members or improve the downtown. (more...)
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Transportation

MLK Jr. Parkway

By Dana Rebik
KVAL

April 14, 2004

    SPRINGFIELD -- The Pioneer Parkway extension in Springfield has long been a controversial issue.
    Local residents spoke out to Lane County commissioners on Wednesday about their concerns with the project. Some are worried about the two lane roundabout Springfield City Council members recently approved. Others living along Hayden Bridge Way say their property value will go down when traffic is moved closer to their homes. (more...)
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Parkway design stalled at County

By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News

April 16, 2004

    Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway took 10 years to design and fund, so it's no surprise the approval process is taking a bit longer than expected.
    Lane County commissioners delayed a vote on the parkway design during a public hearing on Wednesday, saying the public deserves more time to comment on the project and commissioners need more time to explore how the project will impact Gateway residents. (more...)
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Bus station pulling in on schedule

By Christopher Stollar
The Springfield News

April 14, 2004

    The Springfield Station will begin boarding in September.
    Construction of the new facility continues, with Lane Transit District and John Hyland Construction Inc. of Springfield working hard to open the bus bays by fall. (more...)
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Elections

Council seat, county slot up for grabs in May

By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News

April 16, 2004

    In just over a month, voters will be asked to cast their ballots for a string of political incumbents and hopefuls to represent them in local, state and national government.
    Some of the races are uncontested -- like the one for Springfield mayor -- while others are proving to be hotly contested -- like the one for East Lane County commissioner.
    Locally the only real contest is for the Ward 6 seat on Springfield City Council. Four people, who are new to politics, are campaigning to represent the Thurston area; they are David Jacobson, Debbie Davis, Joe Pishioneri and Debi Baker. (more...)
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Six candidates vie in spirited campaign for East Lane post

By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard

April 18, 2004

    Last fall, Don Hampton outlasted 22 other applicants in a grueling contest to win appointment as Lane County commissioner from the East Lane District.
    Now, on the May 18 ballot, he must fend off five other candidates who would love to take his place on the board.
    Ask any of the six to name the major issues facing the district and the county, and the list seems remarkably similar: jobs and the economy, public safety, and the county's dwindling budget come up again and again.
    But that's where the similarity ends. Their all-over-the-map backgrounds and views should give voters plenty to choose from when they mark their ballots, which will be in the mail at the end of this month. (more...)
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North Lane commissioner challenged

By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard

April 18, 2004

    An assistant professor at the University of Oregon is taking on veteran county commissioner Bobby Green Sr. in the North Lane County race on next month's primary election ballot.
    Greg Ringer, who teaches in the Planning, Public Policy and Management Department, said he filed for the position "because the electoral process benefits from a choice of candidates." (more...)
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Mayor Power
Race for 'ceremonial' job has a lot at stake.

By Alan Pittman
Eugene Weekly

April 15, 2004

    The Eugene City Charter gives the mayor little explicit power. He can't tell anyone what to do, and he only gets to vote in case of a city council tie.
    But then why are conservative Nancy Nathanson and progressive Kitty Piercy spending tens of thousands of dollars in a hotly contested race for mayor? A look at how the city really works reveals the mayor's job is far more than ceremonial. (more...)
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Election 2004: Direction at issue in contest for mayor

By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard

April 17, 2004

    Cheerleader, opinion maker, city spokesperson, holder of the bully pulpit.
    Eugene's next mayor has the potential to become all of these.
    Nancy Nathanson and Kitty Piercy are the leading candidates to succeed Jim Torrey as mayor, the elected local official with the most ability to shape the public-policy agenda for Eugene for the next four years.
    The mayor is not the city's chief executive; that job belongs to the city manager. Yet the mayor, who presides over City Council meetings, can break tie votes -- a valuable power on a narrowly divided council -- and veto ordinances. The mayor also is the highest-profile local elected official. Citizens may look to him or her for leadership and a vision of the community's future. (more...)
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Eugene City Beat: Public forums ready to greet City Council candidates

By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard

April 18, 2004

    Proliferating yard signs make it clear that election season is in full swing.
    And many of the city's neighborhood groups are playing a part in the May 18 primary election by inviting public office candidates to give speeches and take questions. (more...)
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Candidates ringing up contributions

By Edward Russo and Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard

April 13, 2004

    The two highest-profile local political races in Lane County came sharply into focus Monday as freshly filed fund-raising reports made it clear which candidates have the clout to raise lots of cash -- and which don't.
    In the contest to fill the Eugene mayoral post being vacated by Jim Torrey, the two major candidates -- Kitty Piercy and Nancy Nathanson -- raised nearly $64,000 between them by April 1, according to the reports. Other mayoral candidates lagged far behind.
    Piercy was the top money-getter, pulling in $39,423; Nathanson raised $24,360. (more...)
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Incumbents dominate funds fight

By David Steves
The Register-Guard

April 13, 2004

SALEM -- Lane County's incumbent lawmakers are enjoying big money-raising advantages in every race but one, according to Monday's campaign finance reports. (more...)
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