Pacific Communities Health District Director Position 4
Special districts in Oregon are formed to provide specific local government needs. They are created by a vote of the people in the local area being served. Examples include people’s utility districts, library districts, water districts, fire protection districts, and more. They are governed by a board of directors, which is responsible for management and financial accountability. Special districts are empowered to levy any necessary taxes and fees to fulfill their mandate. Board members are not paid but may receive a per diem reimbursement.Health districts seek to provide a range of physical and mental health services to communities, sometimes in association with a hospital. The board is responsible for budgeting and personnel administration.Qualifications: Candidate must be a registered voter in the district. Employees of the district are not eligible. ORS 440.325 and 440.330(6)Term: 4 years
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Aimee Thompson
(N)
What medical, managerial, or financial experience do you bring to this position?
What are the most urgent challenges faced by the District, and how would you address them?
How would you improve transparency on the board and facilitate public input?
Town Where You Live
Newport, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
I was appointed to the PCHD Board in March 2021, then elected for a four year term in May 2021. I have served as PCHD Board Chair since July 2022. Previously, I was on the PCHD Foundation Board for 7 years serving as President and Secretary.
County
Lincoln
Term
4 year
Term Expires
July 2025
I am a small business owner and keenly aware of the economic role a good healthcare system plays in our community in attracting and keeping businesses and citizens in the area.
Two urgent challenges our District faces are 1) Continuing to improve our healthcare facilities according to community needs. The District has approved FEMA funding for a water resiliency project which would extend the hospital's water supply to 28 days in the event of a Cascadia-type event. The board is also exploring the possibility of building housing for our medical residents in an overall effort to ultimately attract more physicians to the area (i.e. "grow your own").
2) Support Samaritan, our contracted healthcare provider, in communicating the Medicaid/Medicare issue. Not only possible federal cuts, but also Lincoln County's high percentage of payers in this category. The reimbursement rates are lower than private payers.
In the last five years PCHD has improved in this area broadcasting all board meetings via online link and welcoming the community to the in-person option as well. For all projects, we have in-person meetings and communication with neighbors. The District publishes frequent website updates on projects so citizens, and especially neighbors, are aware of what to expect next at project sites.
There is always more work to be done in communicating with the public and encouraging input. If elected I will keep that at the forefront, especially in communicating our unique position of having a health district. I personally believe we are fortunate as we see rural hospitals closing due to operational costs and low reimbursements.
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