Ephrata hospital approves budget

EPHRATA — Columbia Basin Hospital approved a $14.5 million operating budget for 2009, anticipating a $150,000 loss at the end of the year.

Despite the expected loss in revenue, the hospital did not raise the cost of services.

“I was very conservative about the volumes of patients that we’re projecting, which creates the revenues,” said Controller Rhonda Handly.

Handly said she believes the hospital can make up the $150,000 projected loss.

If the hospital is unable to recoup the money, revenue can be taken from reserves, Handly said.

Public Relations Coordinator Susan Scheib said the decision to maintain rates could change with a new administrator.

Administrator Don James retired at the end of the year. An interim administrator replaced him Monday.

“At this time, we’re not doing any rate increases,” Scheib said.

A minimum 3.5 percent salary increase for non-contracted staff was included in the budget, Handly said.

Hospital commissioners are considering a list of more than $2 million in requests for capital budget improvements.

Handly said the requests will need to be spread out over future years. The hospital hopes to create a three to five year capital improvement plan, she said.

So far, commissioners have not picked a project to focus on, Handly said.

The hospital is in the midst of a pharmacy remodel. When it is complete, the pharmacy will run on a more automated system, Handly said.

The hospital will learn about Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget cuts to health care spending at an upcoming Web conference, Scheib said.

Gregoire is proposing a $990 million reduction in health care spending across Washington state in the coming biennium to help offset a projected $5.5 billion deficit.

The legislature will consider the proposal when it convenes this month.