Estes Park Health Board supports May ballot measure
Press Release 3/17/2023
Contact:
Wendy Rigby
Marketing & Communication Specialist
Estes Park Health
(970) 577-4648
Estes Park Health Board supports May ballot measure
In a unanimous vote, all five members of the Estes Park Health Board of Directors publicly supported passage of ballot measure 8A to be decided on by people who live in the Park Hospital District on May 2. The Board held a special meeting on Thursday, March 16, and heard comments and question from the public on the issue of allowing the Board to enter into a multi-year financial agreement with a prospective healthcare partner. The Board needs this approval from voters who pay taxes to pursue any kind of negotiation.
Resolution 2023-02
The resolution passed on March 16 reads as follows:
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PARK HOSPITAL DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 8A, WHICH, WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY NEW TAX OR INCREASING ANY TAX RATE, AUTHORIZES PARK HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DOING BUSINESS AS ESTES PARK HEALTH, TO ENTER INTO ONE OR MORE AGREEMENTS, CONSTITUTING A MULTIPLE FISCAL YEAR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
WHEREAS, ensuring our Estes Valley Community’s healthcare needs will be addressed with excellent health care services for many years into the future is a major goal of the Estes Park Health (EPH) Board of Directors and Senior Leadership; and WHEREAS, an affiliation with a larger healthcare organization will make a significant contribution to ensuring our Estes Valley Community’s healthcare needs will be addressed with excellent health care services for many years into the future; and
WHEREAS, Estes Park Health (EPH) Board and Senior Leadership believe increased affiliation with a larger healthcare organization will occur at some point in the future; and
WHEREAS, an affiliation with a larger healthcare organization will require the creation of one or more multiple-fiscal year financial obligations; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (“TABOR”), the Park Hospital District must have voter approval in advance for the creation of any multiple-fiscal year financial obligation; and
WHEREAS, without the authorization to create one or more multiple-fiscal year financial obligations, the Park Hospital District will not be able to negotiate an affiliation with a larger healthcare organization; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Park Hospital District has determined and hereby declares that the interests of the Park Hospital District and the public interest and necessity may require that the District create one or more multiple-fiscal year financial obligations to carry out the objects and purposes of District; and
WHEREAS, at the May 2, 2023 Special Board Meeting, the Park Hospital District Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt and approve Resolution 2023-01 which resolves, in accordance with the Uniform Election Code and TABOR, to present to the District’s eligible electors at the May 2, 2023 election, the question of authorizing the Board of Directors to enter into one or more multiple-fiscal year financial obligations
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE PARK HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT:
(1) The Board of Directors hereby supports the passage of Park Hospital District Ballot Issue 8A and urges the voters of the Park Hospital District to vote yes on Park Hospital District Ballot Issue 8A.
(2) Severability. If any part or provision of this Resolution is adjudged to be unenforceable or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remaining provisions of this Resolution, it being the Board’s intention that the various provisions hereof are severable; and
(3) Repealer. All acts, orders, and resolutions, or parts thereof, of the Board which are inconsistent or in conflict with the Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent only of such inconsistency of conflict; and
(4) Effective Date. The provisions of this Resolution shall take effect March 16, 2023.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 16th day of March, 2023.
Public comments
“The Board has come to the conclusion that we need an affiliation to provide excellent, sustainable healthcare in the community for people who live here and visitors,” said Board Member Steve Alper. “In order to do that, we really need to get this ballot measure passed.”
Board Chairman David Batey noted that consolidation is taking place among organizations nationally.
“In order to have access to capital and stay current with medical technology, we need to forge a future with some kind of affiliation,” Batey noted. “And soon, if you are not part of a narrow payor network, it will be difficult to survive financially.”
EPH CEO Vern Carda pointed out that the timing of the passage of this ballot measure is critical since EPH will then have the ability to have conversations with other organizations and make a good decision for the future of the hospital.
Fifty-eight members of the community attended the meeting hosted online, asking questions and in some cases, voicing their support for the upcoming ballot measure.
Former EPH CEO Larry Leaming said, “This is your only option for survival. This is your one time to negotiate the best deal for the community. Stick close to your mission and values. That’s why we elected you and why we trust you.”
Link to further information
To read more about the upcoming election, including Frequently Asked Questions, go to May 2023 Board Election – Estes Park Health (eph.org).
Next EPH Board Meeting
The next public meeting of the Estes Park Health Board of Directors will be at Town Hall and online on April 3rd.
About Estes Park Health
Estes Park Health is comprised of skilled, compassionate caregivers. We are a critical resource in our mountain community, providing the full spectrum of care for our friends, neighbors and visitors, from pediatrics to geriatrics. With a persistent dedication to patient-focused care, we continue to score high on key measures in patient satisfaction surveys. Estes Park Health was founded in 1975 as the Elizabeth Knutsson Memorial Hospital per a tax subsidy voted on by the citizens of Estes Park. Today, more 18,000 patients—residents and visitors alike—see our healthcare teams for both outpatient and inpatient services.
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