County Commissioners urged the Washington County Hospital board on Monday to put the concept of a new hospital up for vote. The board hoped to go through the public building commission process, which was the same process used for the construction of the new jail.
While I fully support the construction of a new hospital, I probably agree with the commission that a vote should occur. Frankly, I believe a vote would be successful, but having it on the books would quiet some of the folks who enjoy complaining about such efforts. It would show them that they are in the minority with their opinion.
There are certain basic things I believe our county government should provide, including law enforcement, good roads and a proper medical facility among other necessities. While I appreciate the staff of the existing hospital, the physical structure of the hospital itself is dated and lacking in efficiency. Renovating the facility would only be a short-term answer to the problems. A new facility would also help the cause of recruiting doctors and nursing staff in the future. I’ve noticed hospitals to the west of Washington County can only seem to recruit foreign doctors for a short period of time. A new hospital facility might bring in someone who wants to spend their career here, much like Dr. Hodgson has (and we should thank him for that.)
Many of our county residents use hospitals in surrounding counties. That’s fine, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on ours. Having just had the experience a week and a half ago of having my daughter break her arm, I was so pleased that the trip to the emergency room was only a six minute trip since we switched our services to the Washington County Hospital last year, rather than a 25 minute trip like before. When a three-year-old daughter is in pain, every minute saved is worth a lot to a dad.
I hope Washington Countians support the construction of a new hospital. What do you think? What is the alternative? Leave a comment below.
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3 comments:
Sorry Dan, I don't agree. With only 6000 people in the county and perhaps a majority of those doctoring elsewhere; just how much can the taxpayers of the county carry?
Whoa Teddie, let's back up the truck. And send Mr. Albert back to Colorado while you're at it. I would LOVE to have a new hospital. I would also love to have a new car. My wife would love to have a new house. Have you folks learned nothing from the sub-prime loan crisis? Get the financing in place BEFORE you buy. Don't even THINK of laying a twelve million dollar debt on my family, my business and the hard working people of the county without asking if WE think we can afford it in the form of a vote. And then, there's Mr. Lutjemeier. Considering who's paying his salary, when he says to EXCLUDE the taxpayers, it makes me suspect he's been standing too close to somebody receiving laughing gas.
$12 million? WOW! I agree with 'farmboy' about laying such a huge tax burden on everyone. Hasn't anyone been paying attention to the economic downturn in this country? We are in a recession and possibly may slump into a depression like the 1930s. Looks like those in power in this county have caught the "spending disease" which has infected the elected officials in Washington DC! We need to tighten our belts, put up with what we have, and not take on any more financial burdens until we see what will happen nationwide. From the looks of things, all the presidential candidates are all primed to spend, spend, spend---OUR MONEY! Let's not follow that example!
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