Voices concerns about health care reform bill
Managing editor
The effect of health care reform on critical access hospitals was the focus of Congressman Jerry Moran’s visit Thursday at St. Luke Hospital and Living Center.
The congressman toured the facility and talked with hospital personnel regarding operations.
The proposed change officials are most concerned about is the possible reduction of Medicare funds paid to hospitals, should the health care reform bill pass.
Currently hospitals, including St. Luke, receive a specified amount from the government to supplement fees for Medicare patients. If the bill passes as presented, there could be a significant reduction in funding to hospitals, seriously affecting the bottom line.
St. Luke Hospital was built in 1952. The board of directors of Marion County Hospital District No. 1 recently approved a $5.2 million project to renovate and remodel the aging hospital.
Funding for those improvements will be through revenue bonds and possible grants.
Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Armstrong told Moran that the average daily census at the hospital is two patients, which is why the focus of the hospital has been on outpatient services.
Currently, all hospital rooms are private rooms. With the new expansion and renovation project, there will be six private rooms, newly renovated.
Aqua therapy is included in the project, which should attract patients from the area, Armstrong said. The closest aqua therapy facility is 68 miles from Marion.
This form of therapy is successful with orthopedic patients.
Another improvement in the works includes paperless files, which would eliminate the need for space to store manila file folders with patient information.
New radiology equipment has put the hospital in an attractive position, providing digital testing for all aspects except mammograms.
Renovations will include space for an expanded laboratory and physical therapy areas, and updating to the emergency and surgery rooms.
Armstrong commented that many vaccines provided to patients are made outside of the U.S. He told Moran that he would like to see more vaccines made in the U.S. and not rely on foreign countries for the inoculations.
The living center continues to operate at capacity with a waiting list.
Moran commented that he worked his way through college by working in a nursing home and has respect for those who serve.
The tour also included St. Luke Physicians Clinic.