Editor,
The lack of transparency and public discussion and debate by Whidbey General Hospital board members has never been greater. Their ad hoc decision-making, failure to get the facts beforehand and abiding by whatever the administration proposes are serious obstacles to good governance.
The hospital board meets at 7 a.m. the second Monday of every month, when most people are getting ready for work, getting children off to school or not yet awake. Seldom are there more than two or three public citizens in attendance.
While public comments are “welcomed,” the board president often reminds us this is done out of good will, not as a requirement. Board meeting minutes no longer even bother to record the subject matter or content of comments or views expressed by the public.
Prior to the most recent meeting, a board member had indicated a financial analysis of the cost of changing the hospital’s name would be provided prior to any vote being taken. No such information was forthcoming, however, before the board issued its customary 5-0 stamp of approval — ad hoc decision making at its best.
Ask if an analysis was done of how much it will cost to staff and operate the bigger new patient wing (maintenance, utilities, insurance, salaries, etc.), and the answer you get is that it should be about the same as those of the present facility.
And finally, if you ask the hospital’s financial officer how any future monetary shortfalls will be dealt with, the answer is that we have the power of the levy; in other words, we can always get more money from the taxpayers to cover any poor planning or miscalculations. Remember in 2014 the hospital’s operating deficit was over $4 million.
The only difference between Washington, D.C. and the hospital is that there is transparency, questions, dialogue, answers and answers at senate hearings, which are made available to the public through the media. Not so at all at Whidbey General. At the hospital, there are no answers to questions.
The similarities Whidbey General has with DC is that they feel they can always lean on the public for more money (levy) and prudent financial planning comes secondly.
When the next request for a levy comes on the ballot you will understand why.
RICHARD WAGNER, M.D.
Coupeville
