Tom and Lori Willis’ Redwoods Getaway was the setting for Redwoods Rural Board’s Strategic Planning and Visioning Retreat. Facilitated by Gary Bess, PhD, Professor of Sociology from Chico State, the board reviewed RRHC’s accomplishments since 2004 and set the direction for the health center’s next three years.
Since 2004, RRHC has recovered from severe financial setbacks and challenges, becoming a stable agency. RRHC pulled itself from a $280,000 loss in 2003, realized significant gains through 2007, and expects to hit break even on June 30, which is the center’s fiscal year end. There are still challenges. Large proposed budget cuts at the State level may impact community wide services. There is also the question of loss of patients from the SoHum area, “patient flight.”
In January, RRHC completed a review of Southern Humboldt’s healthcare system. The center reported to the community that since 2001, both RRHC and the healthcare district realized a loss of 4,000 patients. This information came as no surprise to either organization but did mandate a priority to seriously consider why Southern Humboldt residents are going north for their healthcare or simply
The threat of program cuts in the Medi-Cal program add to the seriousness of RRHC’s challenges. If the State’s legislation moves forward with the proposed cuts, it could prove to be disastrous to both RRHC and the healthcare district. For Redwoods Rural, it could mean having to severely cut back on dental and mental health services. Worse case scenario, it could mean having to close the center’s dental division altogether.
On April 2, Eric Fimbres, RRHC executive director, joined other health center executives from throughout California and met with State Senators and Assemblypersons. “No one in the state is immune from this threat,” Fimbres said. “Herrmann Spetzler, executive director of Open Door Clinics in Eureka echoed the same sentiment and stated publicly that Open Door would also have to close their dental division if the proposed cutbacks are put into law.”
”I’m grateful that our Assemblyperson Patty Berg is leading the fight to preserve program benefits, but as with last year’s budget impasse, she and other legislative leaders are held back by the Republican Caucus who are pushing for no new taxes and at the same time looking to balance the budget with major cutbacks in healthcare and education.” Patti Berg also chairs the assembly’s health and human services subcommittee.
In addition to board training and educating the board on the center’s federal funding programs, Dr. Bess presented the results of an employee and board self assessment and satisfaction survey. On a scale of 0 to 5 with 5 being “strongly agree,” both board and staff scored RRHC high on matters such as employee satisfaction, mission compliance and service to the community. The mean score was 4.2.
The board’s retreat agenda included a review of the staff’s strategic draft plan compiled in February, RRHC’s sliding-fee-scale policy, staffing, scope of services, funding, creation of new clinic sites and moving the health center towards updated and sophisticated technology.
The next steps are for the staff to review the board’s recommendations and compile a cost benefit analysis and feasibility studies. The staff expects to make preliminary recommendations at the April board meeting.
For more information, please call Eric Fimbres at 923-2783.
Font Resize