Name of Observer: Judy Hucka
Observed Meeting: WhidbeyHealth Board of Commissioners Date of Meeting: 3/21/2024 Members present: James Golder, president; Ron Wallin, Gregory Richardson, Marion Jouas, Kate Rose Members absent: none Others present (staff, media, public): CEO Nathan Staggs, Dr. David Lemme, chief of medical staff (virtual), Dr. Garth Miller, Shanna Harney-Bates, Quality; Paul Rogers, CFO; Tim Waldner, Ancillary Services; Chris Tumblin, WhidbeyHealth EMS; ; John Gleason, administrative chief of staff; . Dominic Symes, HealthTech EVP/Staffing Solutions & Chief Revenue Officer; Patrick Banks, HealthTech AVP/Regional Finance Officer. Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: --Approved resolutions to place EMS (emergency medical services) tax levy proposal on August primary election ballot. Six-year levy would be a renewal of current six-year levy. Tax rate would remain the same -- $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. However, property owners’ tax bills are expected to go up because property values have increased. This levy provides major portion of operating revenue for WhidbeyHealth EMS. --Approved lease of replacement telemetry system. Purchase price is $1 million, and WH is hoping Whidbey Health Foundation will raise money for this at its annual fundraising gala. In the meantime, they will lease the system. Current system is at end of life and at risk for failing. Expected life of new system is 10 years plus. --Cyber security. Dominic Symes of HealthTech, discussed the threat of cyber attacks, the need for training to prevent them and preparation in case they happen, and the large potential costs if they happen. Patrick Banks noted that WhidbeyHealth intends to be prepared and is going to make this a focus, including staff training about password security and the danger of clicking on phishing links in emails. --Dr. Garth Miller gave a detailed presentation on Accountable Care Organizations, a part of the Affordable Care Act that all hospitals that have traditional Medicare patients must implement. The goal is to reduce costs and improve care quality for Medicare patients. Hospitals must meet certain financial and quality targets, and if they do, they are eligible for a share of the cost savings. --After executive session, the board returned to regular session, and approved the purchase of a building at 101 NE Birch St. to house the hospice and palliative care departments. The purchase price is $725,000 and WhidbeyHealth Foundation will provide around $700,000 of that. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: EMS levy (League positions can be found here: Positions - LWV Whidbey Island) Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? Yes If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? WhidbeyHealth EMS has sent us (LWVWI) an email offering to provide us a presentation in the next several months to learn more about WhidbeyHealth Emergency Medical Services and the levy proposal. While we cannot include the EMS levy as part of our candidates forums, we might want to consider a member and/or public program on WH-EMS and the levy proposal. Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? no Was there adequate discussion of issues? yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? yes Was there adequate opportunity for public input? yes Was background material available to the public? yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? no If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: Observer E-mail: judy.hucka@gmail.com Date submitted: 3/22/2024 Please submit your report to the Observer Corp Committee at observer.corps.lwvwi@gmail.com within one week of meeting date. Last revised: May 13, 2023
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