Reader responds to anonymous mailing opposing levy

I am responding to the recent anonymous mailing opposing the proposed levy for Public Hospital District #4 known as, McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center in Soap Lake. I am a former commissioner of McKay serving seven years ending in January 2012.

The levy is a one-time only assessment raising the approximately $500,000 in one year to replace the current heating system. It cannot be used for debt. In the past year McKay has reduced the amount of county debt by half. All county public hospitals have debt - it's a function of the payment process. It takes months for Medicaid and Medicare to pay the bills to the hospital especially if those programs change procedures. McKay has worked hard to curb costs, collect accounts receivables and obtain positive audit examinations from the State Auditor's Office.

During the past few years, employees received limited pay increases. You could not ask for a better crew of dedicated staff members and that is why McKay is the highest rated long term care facility in Grant County.

In reference to the administrator turnover, it is difficult to find licensed, qualified administrators in a small, rural community. Every rural hospital struggles with this. Three of the administrators I worked with, commuted from large cities, and kept their homes there. They rented in Soap Lake. This becomes difficult for their families and eventually they leave.

I ask the community to support the largest employer in Soap Lake by voting yes to the levy to keep McKay warm with energy efficient modern equipment not 1930's era heating systems. Our entire country has problems because of short term thinking and not paying for critical infrastructure repairs in our public buildings.

Cindy Ray

Soap Lake