Continuation of clinic construction set to resume

Construction on the new main street clinic should begin again over the next few weeks. That message came from Haxtun Health Chief Executive Officer Dewane Pace in a Jan. 23 meeting of the Board of Directors. Pace said Haxtun Health has been waiting for final confirmation of funding that will give the Hospital what it needs to complete construction without asking District taxpayers to incur debt.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to have a brand-new clinic debt-free and we are on track to do that,” Pace said. “We could have finished the clinic by now if we were willing to take out debt but did not believe that was the right thing to do if there were funds available to complete the clinic that did not have to be paid back.”

Pace said Haxtun Health has been awarded a Department of Local Affairs grant and a Congressionally Directed Spending grant along with other grants that will allow Haxtun Health to build a new clinic without debt. “Plain and simple is that is why we have been waiting, Pace added.

“Right and right now are not always the same thing and we are committed to doing what is right.”

Chief Community Relations Officer Julia Biesemeier said Haxtun Health currently has $2.5 in cash flow coming from a program called the Rural Support Supplemental Payment Program.

“This is a secured program that pays Haxtun Health a monthly amount over the course of five years. Haxtun Health plans to utilize some of those funds for the Main Street Clinic project, but because this comes in monthly payments to the District, we were able to secure another funding source that would allow us to move forward with the project and help with cash flow,” she said.

Biesemeier also said Haxtun Health has been awarded and plans to utilize a loan in the amount of $1.8 million through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program.

“This loan is funded through Highline Electric Association via the United States Department of Agriculture. The REDLG funds will be used to provide cash now for construction and will be repaid at 0 percent interest from the RSSPP as it comes in,” Biesemeier said.

Because the loan through the USDA via Highline Electric is a rural economic grant, Highline Electric will be able to put $300,000 of those funds into a revolving loan fund for Phillips County businesses. Those funds can in turn be utilized by local businesses by means of low interest rate loans keeping funds locally. One business to recently use such a loan, Biesemeier said, is Melissa Memorial Hospital.

In his report, Pace also gave board members an update on FAMLI and recent happenings in the Colorado Legislature as it pertains to rural hospitals. Pace said the approval of Proposition 118 paves the way for a state-run paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. FAMLI ensures employees have access to paid leave during certain circumstances and won’t have to choose between earning a paycheck and taking care of themselves or their loved ones when life happens. Most eligible employees, Pace added, will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave depending on need and up to 16 weeks for those who experience pregnancy or childbirth complications.

“The way FAMLI works is that in 2023 employees contribute .45 percent of their salary and that amount is matched by the employer to fund an account,” he explained. “Beginning in 2024, employees become eligible to take paid family and medical leave during covered circumstances. As an employer of choice, Haxtun Health participates in FAMLI. This will help to ensure that all employees, not just those that can afford to purchase short-term disability, will be able to take paid family and medical leave.”

Pace also touched on issues with the Colorado Legislature, noting that hospitals across the State are asking for a break from new laws regarding healthcare. Hospitals are currently implementing 17 major reforms and dealing with 65 new laws from the last legislative session while still dealing with a Public Health Emergency. Many organizations, Pace said, are asking the legislative body to focus on something other than healthcare during their 120 days in session.

“Health care remains one of the most heavily regulated industries,” he said. “Haxtun Health must meet and comply with all of the same regulations as larger urban hospitals along the front range; there is no difference in safety, quality and compliance here or there.”

He said case in point, Haxtun Health recently had State surveyors how up unannounced for a four-day visit to check for compliance. Those four days involved reviewing records, policies and documentation which takes nurses and doctors away from patient care to be interviewed.

“We are happy to report that we met the standards and are in compliance,” said Pace.

In other business:

• Haxtun Health Board of Directors approved a resolution calling for a 2023 election. Three seats will be up on the board including those held by Kent Bamford and Rod Salvador and one left vacant recently by Jeff Firme. In the meantime, Braden Ham has been appointed to fill the vacant seat. Elections will be held on May 2.

• Chief Nursing Officer Lea White said 11 staff members tested positive for COVID in December. So far none have in January. December also brought an outbreak of COVID in the Extended Care Unit with 12 patients testing positive.