If you followed conversations during the recently concluded Oregon legislative session like I did, you might have noticed a common thread: People have wildly varied ideas about hospitals and clinics as organizations, what we do, how we function, and even why we exist.
Like many of you, those of us who work in health care organizations are deeply concerned about the stability, affordability and quality of health care and the wellbeing of caregivers. These concerns are not new, and big solutions seem as out of reach as ever. But two fresh concerns seeped into the state-wide discourse lately. First, what role should private equity investors play when it comes to essential services? And second, are out-of-state interests taking over Oregon health care and what should be done about it? These are complex questions, and the legislative session closed without much in the way of answers. But that doesn’t mean these questions are going away.
The interests of private equity investors and out-of-state corporations vary widely. Time will tell whether their increasing activity in Oregon leaves us better or worse off. Meanwhile, I want you to know where we stand.
St. Charles is a nonprofit, locally operated, community-oriented organization. We aspire to behave in such a way that society is happy we exist, and not unhappy. We strive to prosper for and along with Central Oregon, not to its detriment. We are not beholden to out-of-state interests or private equity investors. Money spent at any of our facilities goes back into the community through wages, benefits and educational opportunities for our more than 4,800 employees; through investments in equipment and facilities; and through direct dollars that we donate to support other community nonprofit organizations.
St. Charles is many things. As the largest employer in Central Oregon, we are a crucial economic driver for the region. We are an essential provider of “safety net” health care services. We are a place where many people experience some of the most joyful and most harrowing days of their lives. We are a collection of people – your friends, your family members, your neighbors – who have taken on the responsibility of caring for the communities we serve. And you’d better believe we take that responsibility seriously.
The decisions we make today about the care we provide are tied directly to our ability to ensure that you have access to safe, quality health care services for the long term. Because we serve a vast, rural, geographically isolated region, we also find ourselves increasingly partnering with other local organizations to lift each other up and help each other maintain services. These partnerships are exciting as they show that our community is willing to come together for the greater good.
Health care is a complicated business, but at the end of the day my hope is that you know St. Charles is made up of local people who care about doing what’s right for the beautiful and unique communities we are all lucky enough to call home.
Sincerely,
Steve
