Local health care will be hurt by cuts and legislation

Dear Editor,

 Weiser, ldaho is probably like many small towns in America, although ldaho does seem to hold some high and low rankings when the data is compared to other states. 

 Last week, as part of a news story about a bill in the ldaho Legislature, it was stated that ldaho has the fewest doctors per capita practicing.

Weiser is also slightly less viable for job creation, largely because of not being easily accessible by interstate roadways, which adds cost to any manufacturing endeavor. I think this is why our demographics tend to be more biased toward retirees and poor younger workers.

 As the state and federal cost cutting programs take effect, I fear we will see a real impact in our financial and service options. One of the great things about Weiser is our rural hospital which really cuts down on the excessive travel and scheduling of appointments in our sparse doctor population.

 Without Medicaid soon, and if Medicare is curtailed for efficiency, I am unable to see how the hospital wilI survive and the medical employees will be forced to seek employment elsewhere. Additionally, the skilled nursing facility here seems viable only because they accept Medicaid for housing ill seniors who can no longer care for themselves. 

 Caring for the elderly by family members who are struggling with their family and employment needs is a real burden and the ill person often suffers neglect.

 I hope our city and county elected officials are weighing these factors as they plan for each year’s budget beyond just increasing property taxes, which will be needed, but also on how we can retain our vibrant caring medical care. 

 Maybe there’s a franchise option from Doctors Without Borders.

Norma Brown

Weiser, Idaho