McKay future looking brighter

But changes must be made to fill financial hole

The good news: McKay Healthcare in Soap Lake will stay open.

But it will take some changes for that to remain true.

Grant County Hospital District No. 4 commissioners and staff held a second strategic planning meeting Wednesday night at the Houghton-Delancey Elementary School to discuss the budget and hear community concerns.

"What we're trying to do is brainstorm all the different ideas out there," said George Sharp, who works for the state Office of Community Trade and Economic Development but is acting as a volunteer facilitator

for McKay.

Hospital Administrator Mary Prentice listed about a dozen cost-saving and revenue-enhancing measures, including not filling a grant writer's position, reducing wages for two positions where employees have resigned, sell surplus equipment, rent office space, pass a levy and continue lobbying for state and federal Pro Share funds.

"I feel real strongly that we can have this under control," Prentice said, adding that in two years the hospital will be in "great shape."

At a strategic planning meeting last month, hospital officials had told the public that solid budget numbers would be ready for the meeting last night, as well as answers to individual questions.

After that meeting, Sharp said he didn't know if the hospital would be forced to close its doors in three or 10 months. But during last night's meeting, he said closure will most likely be avoided.

The hospital district owes Grant County about $605,000, and its credit line can be extended to $750,000.

Closing, Soap Lake Mayor Wayne Hovde said, does not just mean shutting the doors and eliminating the debt, either. The hospital district would continue having to spend money to stay open, and the taxpayers could be liable for whatever debt is left over.

"You'd be paying for a dead horse, continually, if it closes," Hovde said.

The biggest hit has been a loss of federal Pro Share dollars during the past two years. The hospital hopes to receive $100,000 from the program in 2005, but Sharp said the community should not plan on seeing any of

those funds.

Bruce Buckles, who is on sabbatical as McKay superintendent, said he spoke to state Sen. Linda Evans-Parlette's office, where he was told the funds would be coming for 2005.

Sharp said exact budget numbers for McKay were not quite ready to be released, but they would discussed at the next commission meeting. That will be held July 22 at noon at McKay Healthcare.

The Mother Theresa Youth Outreach Center, which some people had thought should be eliminated because of its costs, could actually be a financial boon for the hospital, Sharp said.

The center is available for grants, such as an expected Gates Grant this year, that could bring more dollars in to the hospital district, he said.

In 2003, the Youth Center made $4,000. This year, it's all about $10,000 behind to date, but Sharp said the youth center should even out when expected grant money comes in.

While some people in the audience voiced support for a levy to raise more funds for the hospital, others questioned what value they receive from the hospital.

Grant County Hospital District No. 4, which is what operates McKay, extends east and north to include Wilson Creek and Coulee City in its taxing districts.

Christine Roberts, who lives in Coulee City, said many voters in that city have a hard time seeing the service they receive from the 42-bed nursing home for their tax dollars.

But, she added, she's sure they will hear from McKay representatives if a levy does come to the ballot.

"I'll bet anything McKay and the board will paying attention to Coulee City for the vote," she said.

The board must decide by Sept. 16 whether to place a levy on the November general election ballot.

Sharp said McKay is an economic boon for the whole area, and some employees who work at the facility drive home to Wilson Creek or Coulee City and spend money there on the way.

The McKay board is also looking for a replacement for former President Jean Hads, who resigned after taking a medical leave of absence. Applications can be picked up at McKay Healthcare, and the board will

begin interviewing at the July 22 meeting, Vice President Mary Ackerman said.