District Officials Explain Territory Expansion Plans

Courtesy of Curry County Reporter, as published July 8, 2015

The Curry County Commissioners on July 1 unanimously voted to place two ballot measures on the November election, which, if both pass, would allow expansion of Curry Health District to include the Brookings-Harbor area. One ballot measure would seek voter approval from current District residents to allow expansion; and the other would seek approval from Brookings-Harbor area residents to join the Health District.

Deb Wilson, Vice Chair of Curry Health District's Board of Directors, says the District is excited for the opportunity. "Partnering with residents in the Brookings-Harbor area will provide an opportunity for the Network to be the healthcare provider of choice for the region," she said, but was most enthusiastic about the expected benefits to the communities.

Board Treasurer Ryan Ringer says that while Curry Health Network (CHN) is financially stable; partnering with the residents of south Curry County - roughly from Pistol River to the California border - would afford CHN the ability to expand healthcare services in the region, and reduce the burden on families that travel long distances for some services not currently available.

"Some of the potential services we would be looking to provide, if feasible, include chemotherapy infusion and other complimentary cancer services, dialysis, comprehensive pain management programs, and expanded access to specialists via telemedicine or on-site clinics." Ringer explained that Curry Medical Center in Brookings, soon to include the first free-standing Emergency Department in Oregon, is at or exceeding capacity for space, and a building expansion would likely be needed - sooner rather than later.

While the proposed District expansion has a tax impact, Wilson says the ballot measures aren't all about taxes. "This is about people, our communities, access to quality healthcare, ensuring continuation of services, improving the quality of life - and in some cases, life itself."

Chief Financial Officer Ken Landau explained the current tax rate of existing District taxpayers is approximately $1.43 per $1,000 assessed property value, a rate that includes the general obligation bond approved in November 2013 to build a new hospital to replace the aged Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach. "With an expanded District, all taxpayers would share equally the tax levy and be assessed approximately 99 cents per $1,000 assessed property value," he said. "Once the general obligation levy for the new hospital has been repaid in a number of years, the taxes will be reduced approximately 25 cents per $1,000."

According to the Special Districts Association of Oregon, there are currently 27 health districts within the State, and Oregon Department of Revenue statistics reflect that all except two receive a share of local property taxes. Of those districts that impose a tax, in 2014 the highest tax rate was $3.97 per $1,000, and the average was $1.03.

"Healthcare is in an historic transitional time and many rural hospitals across the country are struggling to survive. Since 2010, 43 have closed," said Wilson. "We - Curry Health Network, our District residents and our southern Oregon coastal neighbors - have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen healthcare service offerings to those in our communities and retain local control to charter its future."