The material for the June 30th Town Hall meeting which starts at 5 pm is available HERE.
Category: Board Updates (Page 1 of 5)
The Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) is hosting a Town Hall meeting to update the community on the status of the Medical Clinic Operator Request for Proposal (RFP) that closes on June 26th.
You will hear how the current two-clinic structure is impacting the long-term sustainability of health care, and activities leading up to the release of the RFP. The Board will then review how the RFP was designed to solicit responses to help inform ways a consolidated model could address the financial and operational needs of the community, providers and staff. Since responses to the RFP will have only recently been received, this meeting will not go into significant detail as to the specifics of the responses. A second Town Hall is scheduled for July 9th, at which time the Commissioners will be prepared to provide more of the details around the RFP responses.
The format will include a brief presentation by the Board, and the majority of time will allow for community questions and feedback.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87669686209
Dial by Phone: +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 876 6968 6209
We appreciate the community’s understanding as we are limited to holding this meeting in a 100% virtual format. Participants will be required to submit questions via the Chat function on Zoom. For anyone without access to Chat, you are able to submit questions in advance to Superintendent Presson at annep@orcashealth.org, or she will accept questions during the Town Hall via text at 415-999-5611.
Please join us in this important discussion that will help shape the future of health care on Orcas.
The Agenda and meeting materials for the June 16, 2020 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD are now available. To access documents please click HERE.
Meeting Instructions to Join the Meeting are summarized below:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86278263104
Meeting ID: 862 7826 3104
Dial In Phone: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 862 7826 3104
As a reminder, the Board has modified the way in which Public Comments are received in the current virtual meeting format. If you wish to provide an oral Public Comment during the June 2, 2020 OIHCD Regular Board meeting, please submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org.
Your email should contain the following information:
- Your First and Last Name
- The Agenda Item(s) that you would like to provide oral Public Comment
- The telephone number that you will be calling from
If you wish to be added to our “Speakers List” and have the Superintendent read your comment at the meeting, please follow the same procedure and submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org. Include the first two bullet items listed above, indicating you would like to provide a comment for the Speakers List rather than oral Public Comment. At the start of the meeting, the Board President will explain how we will be handling the second Public Comment period at the end of the Agenda. This is to accommodate active participants who have a comment as a result of the discussion.
Your email to request either form of Public Comment must be received by 3:00 pm June 16, 2020 and must include all of the requested information. Any omitted information will render the request incomplete and will not be included for Public Comment during the meeting. We will retain the three minute maximum per person, and the information you provide may be subject to disclosure pursuant to Washington State’s Public Record Act, chapter 42.56 RCW.
To those who participate in our Public Meetings, please know that we appreciate your time and engagement.
The Agenda and meeting materials for the June 2, 2020 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD are now available. To access documents please click HERE
Meeting Instructions:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81280324500
Meeting ID: 812 8032 4500
Dial In Phone: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 812 8032 4500
As a reminder, the Board has modified the way in which Public Comments are received in the current virtual meeting format. If you wish to provide an oral Public Comment during the June 2, 2020 OIHCD Regular Board meeting, please submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org.
Your email should contain the following information:
- Your First and Last Name
- The Agenda Item(s) that you would like to provide oral Public Comment
- The telephone number that you will be calling from
If you wish to be added to our “Speakers List” and have the Superintendent read your comment at the meeting, please follow the same procedure and submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org. Include the first two bullet items listed above, indicating you would like to provide a comment for the Speakers List rather than oral Public Comment. At the start of the meeting, the Board President will explain how we will be handling the second Public Comment period at the end of the Agenda. This is to accommodate active participants who have a comment as a result of the discussion.
Your email to request either form of Public Comment must be received by 3:00 pm June 2, 2020 and must include all of the requested information. Any omitted information will render the request incomplete and will not be included for Public Comment during the meeting. We will retain the three minute maximum per person, and the information you provide may be subject to disclosure pursuant to Washington State’s Public Record Act, chapter 42.56 RCW.
To those who participate in our Public Meetings, please know that we appreciate your time and engagement.
As previously reported, the Orcas Island Health Care District has been working to initiate the process of identifying a potential medical service provider to operate a consolidated clinic on Orcas in 2021.
At their May 5, 2020 Regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved the materials and timeline to conduct a formal RFP. Those documents are available at: 2020-03 Medical Clinic Operator RFP.
After review of the materials, entities interested in participating in the RFP process should contact the District Superintendent, Anne Presson. Superintendent Presson can be reached by email: annep@orcashealth.org, or via mobile/text: 415-999-5611.
The Agenda and materials for the May 5, 2020 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD can be found HERE.
Please be aware that we are changing the way in which Public Comments are received in the current virtual meeting format. If you wish to provide an oral Public Comment during the May 5, 2020 OIHCD Regular Board meeting, please submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org.
Your email should contain the following information:
- Your First and Last Name
- The Agenda Item(s) that you would like to provide oral Public Comment(s)
- The Telephone Number that you will be calling from
If you wish to be added to our “Speakers List” and have the Superintendent read your comment at the meeting, please follow the same procedure and submit an email to annep@orcashealth.org. Include the first two bullet items listed above, indicating you would like to provide a comment for the Speakers List rather than oral Public Comment. At the start of the meeting, the Board President will explain how we will be handling the second Public Comment period at the end of the Agenda. This is to accommodate active participants who have a comment as a result of the discussion.
Your email to request either form of Public Comment must be received by 3:00 pm May 5, 2020 and must include all of the requested information. Any omitted information will render the request incomplete and will not be included for Public Comment during the meeting. We will retain the three minute maximum per person, and the information you provide may be subject to disclosure pursuant to Washington State’s Public Record Act, chapter 42.56 RCW.
Meeting Instructions:
To join the Zoom web meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86960912741
Meeting ID: 869 6091 2741
Dial in Phone Number: 1-669-900-9128
Meeting ID: 869 6091 2741
OIHCD Prepares to Seek Potential Partner for Medical Services – also posted online at Orcas Issues and The Sounder
As we reported for much of 2019, the OIHCD spent most of last year assessing the existing health care model. This included gaining an understanding of the complex health care reimbursement system and the constraints of delivering care on a rural, remote island. As the discussion continued into 2020, the decision was made that funding a two-clinic model was not financially sustainable, and there was consensus of the Board to move to a single clinic funding model in 2021.
To accomplish their objective, one of the Board’s key activities for 2020 is to conduct a Medical Clinic Operator Request for Proposal (RFP). At their April 21st Regular meeting, Commissioners received a draft of the Medical Clinic Operator RFP document. Once finalized, the RFP release will begin the process of identifying potential medical service providers interested in operating a consolidated Clinic on Orcas. The Board will be reviewing a final draft of the RFP document and supporting materials, and possibly taking action to release the RFP at their next Regular meeting on May 5th.
Due to the technical challenges of accepting live Public Comment, the Board will be modifying our process while we are unable to hold “in person” meetings. We ask that anyone interested in making a comment do so by submitting it in writing via email prior to the Board meeting. Please include your full name and keep in mind comments will be limited to three minutes. Comments should be emailed to: annep@orcashealth.org and must be received no later than 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 5th to be read during the meeting.
As a reminder, OIHCD Regular Board meetings start at 5 pm and are currently held via Zoom. To access the Agenda and meeting materials visit the Notices page on the District website. Materials will be posted online no later than 5 pm the day prior to the meeting. You will also find the Zoom link on the Agenda or Meetings Calendar page of the website. The Agenda format maintains a Public Comment period at both the start and close of the meeting. To accommodate comments that come as a result of the discussion, we will have meeting participants type in their Public Comment via the Chat function on Zoom, and I will read those comments similar to how the emailed Public Comments will be handled at the start of the meeting.
The Commissioners and I appreciate your understanding as we strive to keep you informed and seek your input, even as we navigate these unusual times.
STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY.
The Agenda and materials for the April 21, 2020 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD can be accessed HERE. The meeting will include brief updates from UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic and Orcas Family Health Center.
As a reminder, the OIHCD is complying with the Governor’s Proclamation and a subsequent waiver to certain requirements of the OPMA. While the Board is allowed to conduct meetings, we are restricted to taking action on matters that are “necessary and routine or are matters necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and the current public health emergency.” Important to note the term “action” includes discussion – meaning the intent of the Proclamation is that meetings be short, efficient, and restricted to necessary business.
While routine is more self-explanatory, necessary items are those where any decision that if not taken prior to April 23, 2020 would have negative impacts on the District or the taxpayers. Guidance suggests that if the matter involves a decision that can be postponed until after April 23, 2020 the items are not considered necessary. Items marked as POSTPONED on the Agenda are those that were deemed to fall outside of these parameters.
We appreciate the community’s understanding as we continue to assess how to best address the business of the District during these challenging times. Details for the Zoom meeting can be found on the Agenda or directly on the Meetings Calendar.
Please be advised that the April 7th Regular Meeting of the OIHCD has been CANCELLED. The Board is currently scheduled to meet via Zoom at their next Regular Meeting on April 21st at 5 pm.
We continue to appreciate the community’s understanding as we adapt to conducting the necessary and routine business of the District in the era of COVID-19.
Stay Home. Stay Healthy.
The AGENDA for the March 29th Special Board Meeting is posted. The topics discussed have been modified due to recent actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The OIHCD is complying with the Governor’s Proclamation 20-25, which remains in effect until April 6th, and a subsequent waiver to certain requirements of the OPMA. The latter remains in effect until April 23rd.
While the Board is allowed to conduct meetings, we are restricted to taking action on matters that are “necessary and routine or are matters necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and the current public health emergency.” Important to note the term “action” includes discussion – meaning the intent of the Proclamation is that meetings be short, efficient, and restricted to necessary business.
The Board discussed items on the Special Meeting Agenda with legal counsel to determine what might fall outside of the definition of necessary and routine. While routine is more self-explanatory, necessary items are those where any decision that if not taken prior to April 23, 2020 would have negative impacts on the District or the taxpayers. Guidance suggests that if the matter involves a decision that can be postponed until after April 23, 2020 the items are not considered necessary.
Important to note that items marked as POSTPONED on the Agenda are those that were deemed to fall outside of the parameters as outlined by legal counsel. We appreciate the community’s understanding as we navigate these uncharted, challenging and constantly changes times.
STAY HOME. STAY HEALTHY!