Healthcare Coalition holds first meeting

by Gail Kimberling

Four main concerns over local health care issues emerged from an ad hoc group of citizens who met at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale Monday night.

Cindy Van, a retired healthcare worker who coordinated the first-time event, said, “I thought it was great. Lots of people from lots of very different backgrounds came and voiced their concerns. The general consensus is they know what they want and know what they don’t want, in health care and they are willing now to be very vocal.”

The citizen group formed in response to recent actions by the Sublette County Rural Health Care District Board of Directors, and what has been perceived as rude behavior by some members of the board. Among the four main points the group discussed Monday were:

• Keeping all current medical staff, in particular securing contracts with Dr. Boyle at the Pinedale Medical Clinic and Dr. La Seur at the Marbleton/Big Piney Clinic;

• Hiring more nurses and getting more help for the ever-increasing workloads for the medical clinic staffs;

• Encouraging an attitude change by the health district board; and

• Insisting on accurate monthly financial statements from the board to show how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

Van plans to share these concerns via e-mail with health district board members and district manager Randy Johnson. The group will also present their concerns at the board’s next regular meeting, set for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Marbleton Town Hall.

“The goal is not to be perceived as adversarial, but as a group of people saying we have significant health care concerns and this is where we want you (the board) to put your attention ... we elected you and these are what our needs are,” Van explained.

The group also decided on a formal name Monday night – Healthcare Coalition – and made plans to meet monthly. The next gathering is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 10 in the Lovatt room of the Pinedale Library.

“It was very productive,” Van said Tuesday about the group’s first formal meeting. “We want good health care, and we want to let the board know our priorities.”