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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - Page 7 The San Juan Health Services District was authorized as an eligible taxing Special Service District by San Juan County voters in 1988. The legalities took time to complete so the structure was approved and began to function effectively by 1990. Health services were provided within budget for several years. operating costs. Constant attention and continuous adjustment of how the dollars are best spent has not generated enough additional revenue to where the Health District has kept current with its obligations without seeking outside funding. Two major factors created this short foil; one was the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 where Medicare and Medicaid payment percentages for eligible participants fell below costs. Hie Federal short foil is compounded by the fact that San Juan County has by for the largest percent of its citizens eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits of any county in In 1996 an administrative agreement was completed tween the District and Southwest Memorial Hospital. This continued until October 1998 be- when a financial crisis prompted the county commission to exercise their authority and for a time place themselves on the Health District Board. The current board does not include a five-memb- the state. The other factor is that the county assessed valuation decreasing to where, in 1999, the Health District received about one half the dollars available for its use in 1992. When inflation is factored in, the county revenues provide about 30 per er county commissioner. Much has been said in recent years about the Health Districts financial woes, but the basic problem still persists. Income, falls short of cent what could be bought by existing county dollars in 1992. The recent commitment of additional county dollars will just bring the revenue level back to 1992 parity' Other factors had and still have a direct bearing on the current financial picture, but the fact is that since 1997 the District has operated with an unfunded mandate- The level ofcare expected by county residents has exceeded what revenue is available to pay for these services. Free care is also required at times. Tb help offset this condition, changes have been made and operational costs have been reduced. Additional revenue is also critical. In the past year, the Indian Health Service payment for eligible Monument Valley outpatient visits in- nated as a Rural Health T A CMUr MKL CUUMMTIEir c, tele-radiolo- gy out-patie- nt creased by 37.5 percent. The Blanding Clinic was desig- CORTEZ SEARS TM COOD UR Hospital ER is scheduled to Medicaid patients increases come this week. This will revenue by about 25 percent. bring the physician and midFull attention has been given level provider staff to where to qualify the Hospital as a we can meet the long sought Critical Access Facility, which, goal of full services for resiwill increase Medicare and dents from Bluff to La Sal, and Medicaid percentages for from Halls Crossing to Eastland... allowing this part acute care. As a result of a State Com- of the county to thereafter munity Impact Board grant, function as one service area. the Hospital is better equipped Specialty clinics at the Hospiand the physical plant has tal also offer the specialized services of Cardiology, Podiat-ribeen upgraded to its best condition in 15 years. PreparaOrthopedic, and Cataract tions for a CT Scan are mov- Surgery. The Level 5 TYauma legislaing forward and a recent grant commitment from the state tion authorized by the 2000 Health Department will allow legislature will have rules in tie-i- n so place soon that will effect the with the films can be read electroni- level of emergency services cally on a needs basis. countywide. A new capitation contract Grant money and donated facilities have been obtained to with Indian Health Services provide a more effective and will further increase funds efficient service, from IHS and provide a higher with the San Juan Clinic lo- level of care at Monument Valcated next to the Hospital in ley Clinic. A recent Grant for Monticello. a program is also Anew Internal Medical Docincreased community allowing tor for the San Juan Clinic and services at Monument Valley. The end result is that Health Services in San Juan County are of a higher quality and quantity than we have ever known. The Doctors and support staff are providing these services in a rural setting for neighbors they love and respect. Lets talk about the good parts of life for Clinic, which for Medicare and Lets talk about the good parts of life tor awhile Bi-Ling- awhile. Horn appSancM, alactronica. lawn and garden, tooJi Sal price good Match 2nd through March 3rd . i. I I M a sale so big it starts Friday Empire Electric offers scholarships until January 2002 on all home appliances over $399 and all ZERO camcorders & TVs over 499 when you use your Sears card i . .. tin - ?. If you are a senior in high school and are thinking about college, or an adult wanting to go back to school, its not too a. - early to start thinking about i- V - ' V.--- ' " L- doseout 39988 KENMORE? Super Capacity Plus washer, Save $80 motor. 20702. Was 479.99 VMtqumm tat - - ' 499" doseout 299s8 sale KENMORE Save S30 Guide PI us Gold program guide. Super Capacity dyer, Save $40 6 cycles. 60602. Was 339.99 Whil quamnin Iml Gh aryar pnetd highar. RCA TV. 32-i- n. 42920 (Mfr. F32648). Reg. 529.99 499" PANASONIC VHS-Sears low price camcorder, C 4-i- n. LCD. recording system. 58640 (Mfr. IVL68Q) ZEROUNTL JUNE 2001 ON Empire Electric. These six adult scholarships are intended for adults continuing their education where a lapse in their normal education program has occurred. ALL TRACTORS WHEN YOU USE YOUR SEARS CARO sale ... KENMORE ISca ft? refrigerator, Save $105 With ice maker, glass shelves and gallon door storage. . 70822. Wte 549.99 wMaqummeshK 299" (mm) sale 81 w 999" 299 Scholarship information 544P CRAFTSMAN front fine CRAFTSMAN vertical compressor, CRAFTSMAN 1A5M 42-iSave $30 Includes FfE accessories, tractor. Save $250 Briggs & Stratton tiller, Save $40 Briggs & Stratton lCOHV engine. 27163. Reg. 1249.99 engine. 29248. Reg. 339.99 a S78 value. 16514. Req. 329.99 Owned & Operated by Mike & Tamra Tobin n. Sat 9 am to 6 pm war mm Mon fti JfjPT. -- Sun: 1 to 6 pm -- 2214 East Main iun hanm scholarships too! Every year, Empire Electric Association presents several scholarships to area students. Tb be eligible, a student, their parents, or their legal guardians must be members of Empire Electric. Empire Electric Association, Inc., has a total of 24 scholarships to be awarded this year. Of these, 18 are for graduating seniors who are member dependents from the five high schools in Empires service area, and six are for adult scholarships for anyone over the age of 18 and a member or a dependent of a member of 970-565-16- 90 and application packets are distributed to school counselors at high schools in Empires territory. For more information about the scholarship program, contact Denise Rosenbaugh at Empire Electrics office. The deadline for these scholarships is March 1, 2001. So dont II LMIMBlKMjllWgtgill |