Chamber members hear appeal

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting of 2015 on Tuesday, January 13, at Any Occasion Banquet Hall. A good-sized crowd was on hand for the meeting at which Odessa’s hospital administrator Mo Sheldon gave a presentation on the financial situation of the medical facilities in town and the decision of the hospital district commissioners to ask for an increase in the maintenance and operations levy to be voted on in February.

Sheldon, with assistance from the Association of Washington State Hospitals, has been working to educate the public on the dire situation that has developed as rural hospitals struggle to keep their doors open.

Since 2010, hospitals throughout the state have suffered $117 billion in cuts to reimbursements coming from the federal government. By 2020, medical facilities are being expected to turn to state governments rather than the federal government for medical funding assistance.

Part of the reason for the current shortfall is that Medicare and Medicaid do not cover all of the costs associated with providing healthcare in a rural setting. As administrators work to convince legislators that laws need to be amended or rewritten, there are also efforts under way to cut expenses wherever possible. Sheldon said this was no easy task because the medical services organization in Odessa was already about as “lean” as an organization could get.

One area, however, where a savings might be possible involved the hiring of outside physicians to cover for the Odessa crew whenever necessary. Hiring an additional permanent, full-time physician would be cheaper in the long run than paying the rates quoted for added coverage. In addition, it would give Odessa patrons another choice of a health care provider. Sometimes area residents go elsewhere for their health care, where specialized treatment is required or where they feel more comfortable. The hospital administration is trying to find out why some folks choose not to use the local medical providers and offer them more and better alternatives to going out of town.

Other Chamber business

Chamber treasurer Larissa Zeiler Fink reported a 2014 closing balance of $59,707. With the commercial kitchen project being mostly completed in 2014, the Chamber treasury took quite a hit. But despite a $3,790 net loss on the year, it is hoped that the kitchen can now begin to generate some revenue for the Chamber.

Justin Parr and his committee have been working on local advertising to be sold to finance the recently purchased used float trailer. Ads will be offered in a couple of different sizes and price ranges. Chamber members will be given priority over non-Chamber members, but the ad spaces will be open to any Odessa business willing to purchase them.

Chamber member Laura Estes announced the dates for upcoming quilting events. The Quilters’ Tea will be held February 9? and the Quilt ‘til You Wilt event will be held March 16, a Monday, in the Odessa Community Center. The group has outgrown the basement of Heritage Church and will now hold its event in this larger venue. New lighting for the community center has been under discussion for some time by the Chamber and ought to be installed prior to the quilting events coming up.