The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

As a Hospital Board member and Friend of the Hospital I feel that it is important to keep you updated on issues relevant to daily operation of the hospital and the levy. I know that a levy is not a very popular issue, especially following an important school levy which did not pass! Both education and health are very important to our families and communities.

In a recent letter to the editor I indicated that the hospital district financially subsidized Booker's operation for the past seven years at an average cost of $397,000 per year. In an effort to reduce the annual loss considerable efforts have been made to enhance the services provided by other Departments. Examples of actions taken during the past couple of years using budgeted dollars include: additions to the medical staff; a new roof on Booker (thanks to the Day Estate); remodel of the Emergency Room (a low interest loan from REA); upgrade of Radiology systems; enhanced Hospital Pharmacy capabilities; and improvement to the heating and propane service at the Hospital.

Citizen approval of the levy will allow continued upgrade in the Hospital's ability to better serve the health needs of our community. As an example, with an enhanced rehabilitation capability (advanced therapists, aquatic therapy and rehabilitation beds) community members returning from orthopedic surgery will have better outcomes and at the same time significantly assist in subsidizing Booker's annual budget deficit.

Your favorable support of the purposed bond is critical to the Hospitals and it ability to maintain its current services. Say "YES" to the Friends of the Hospital! Ted Paterson Dayton