Is it time to sell Hi-Line Retirement Center and PC Hospital?

Dear Editor,

MAYBE IT'S TIME....

to consider affiliating or selling the Hi-Line Retirement Center and the Phillips County Hospital & Family Health Clinic to a professional system such as Benefis Health System.

Great Falls Tribune reported on Thursday, April 16 the sale of Teton Medical Center. Choteau to Benefis.

TMC's Board and CEO looked "at a combination of uncompensated care, low census in the care facility and the changing landscape of American Health Care was something TMC could not weather." Certainly sounds familiar.

Some of the conditions of the sale

1. Accordingly no layoffs or changes in service planned.

2. TMC Board and administrator to remain - Benefis could help us in the selection of a new CEO.

3. Benefis is buying real property, buildings and equipment.

4. Operate essential services - x-ray, lab, clinic, skilled nursing and emergency room for next 15 years.

5. Agree to operate critical access hospital for next seven years.

The above items are just a few of the concessions to purchase - you can read the whole article at http://www.greatfallstribune.com/business/ scroll down to more news click on the TMC sale.

Having the system up to date with all phases of care, management, reporting, and accounting managed by a professional system would be favorable for the economic status of this community.

A big ticket item is coming due soon - implemention of the mandated electronic health records system - this would be in place with Benefis and their staff.

It is so hard to relinquish ownership of anything to some outsider but perhaps it is time to put our health care facility into the hands of true professionals.

At least look into the options offered - rural healthcare is changing becoming unaffordable as a stand alone to the community by itself.

Barbara Schlocker

Malta