EHS CAMPAIGN

Margaret Klubben leads those holding up signs directed at Secretary of Health, Mary Selecky, to protect our hospitals.

Spokane Alliance member institutions went into action last month to protect the public interest as the Department of Health asked for community input on the sale of Empire Health Services.  Forty leaders gave testimonies and many others jammed the conference room, many lining up along the walls during the session in Spokane.

Sandra Huggins gives testimony about the dependence of workers on hospital services and cost containment.

Leaders carefully gave passionate stories about their personal experience at Deaconess and Valley Hospitals.  They pointed out the crucial place the hospitals played in their own lives and the lives of their family.  Others, like Sandra Huggins, Benefits Director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local #1439, described the dependence of business and workers on hospital services in times of escalating health care costs. Each concluded with the services that are at risk and the importance of “putting in place the conditions of sale presented by the Spokane Alliance and Protect Our Hospitals.”

Sandy Fuller told of the compassionate care given to she, her daughter and her husband when insurance did not cover the huge costs her family incurred at emergency room and intensive care unit.

Jim Dunn gives testimony warning that giving priority to shareholder concerns can compromise patient care.

Jim Dunn described the tenuous hold the community has on essential services as “we hand over control of one of our communities greatest assets to those primarily concerned with satisfying shareholders.”  Again, asking Secretary of Health, Mary Selecky, to protect the public interest by including conditions of sale that would insure essential services, indigent care, open hospitals and worker rights.    

As each Alliance leader spoke, scores of others held up signs in support, telling Secretary Selecky to “protect our hospitals.”  The hearings marked the ending date for submitting public expression.  The Attorney General’s office is due to deliver its opinion regarding the transaction in August and Mary Selecky’s decision about whether the sale goes through and if so with what conditions is expected in September.