County to keep two clinics

by Bill Boender

At their June 13 meeting in Pinedale, the Sublette County Rural Health Care District Board members wasted no time in resolving the one clinic/two clinic issue by unanimously voting to maintain the two clinics. Responding to overwhelming public response to public meetings and a mailing, work will proceed to build new clinics, first at Marbleton then in Pinedale.

Results of the mail survey showed 962 responses from a mailing of 4200 with 822 favoring the two clinics while 122 wanted a single clinic. Responses from the Marbleton/Big Piney area showed 339 for two with only eight favoring a single clinic. In Pinedale, 379 were in favor of two while 91 supported a single clinic.

Director Randy Johnson thanked all the people who expressed opinions at the public meetings as well as those who responded to the mailing. The response left no doubt as to the strong interest in continuing to have local access to medical services.

Johnson reported that one permanent physician may be ready to sign on and two other good prospects have expressed interest. The board authorized Johnson to look into hiring a professional review service to check applicant qualifications, references and suitability so that all concerns are addressed in a complete manner.

Garry Eiden objected, feeling that it would slow the process and cost money. Eiden expressed confidence in the search committee and Johnson to make good choices.

In other business, the board approved hiring a student intern for the summer at $9 per hour with the position to be reviewed at the end of August. A bid from Intermountain Electric for generator maintenance and service was approved.

The newspaper advertising bid was awarded to the Sublette Examiner. No award was made for radio maintenance as the only bidder has been unable to provide needed services on existing equipment. The bidder will be invited to attend the next meeting to respond to concerns and other bids will be requested.

Preliminary budget requests were reviewed and tentatively approved with more detail being requested for electronic equipment on the Pinedale Emergency Medical Service and for billing software requested for the Pinedale Medical Clinic.

Requests from other health care organizations were all in line with prior year amounts and received approval as submitted.