Veterans Memorial Hospital staff and board members continue to visit each Allamakee County community to present and discuss the need to convert from a city owned hospital to a county owned hospital. These sessions last less than an hour and will answer any questions anyone may have about the proposed conversion of Veterans Memorial Hospital from a city-owned to a county-owned hospital.
The schedule for these county meetings, by date, is as follows:
- Harpers Ferry Tuesday, October 18 6 p.m. Harpers Ferry Community Center
- Waukon Tuesday, October 25 6 p.m. Freedom Bank Community Room
- Postville Tuesday, November 1 6 p.m. NE IA Wellness Center Meeting Room
Anyone is welcome to attend to these presentations and question and answer sessions will follow each one. Questions such as the following will be covered at these informational meetings:
Question: Is it common for hospitals to be owned by the county and supported by tax payers?
It’s very common. In fact, county-owned hospitals in Iowa receive, on average, $1.75 million in tax support each year. It’s also important to know that the partnership between the county and VMH will continue to grow beyond the related services already in place. Examples include transferring of behavioral health patients and providing a county examiner and Allamakee County Public Health Services, which are already part of VMH.
Question: If VMH becomes county-owned, what impact will the conversion have on emergency medical services (EMS)?
None. The conversion will not affect the existing ambulance services in any way.
Question: How can the hospital be held accountable for the funds raised?
VMH will continue to be your hospital. Just as in the past, every decision will be made in the best interests of our patients and the communities we serve. To ensure this:
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- VMH will produce an annual Report to the Community, documenting the hospital’s activities and finances for the prior year.
- Annual community forums will be held to provide an open exchange of information and to gain valuable input from Allamakee County residents.
- A Community Ambassador group will be formed with members from throughout the county. This group will be the voice of the community, guiding VMH in its mission to provide an exceptional healthcare experience with compassion.
Detailed information and handout materials on the need for this city to county conversion will be shared at these community meetings. Anyone is welcome to attend these presentations.
All information is also available on the hospital’s website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com/voteyes/.
A FACEBOOK Live event which was aired on Friday, September 16, is available for review by going to Veterans Memorial Hospital Facebook page.
For more information about the need for the city to county conversion, please call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
