The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Colorado’s Option Bill, a new pharmacy director and main street construction update topped items of discussion from Chief Executive Officer Dewane Pace’s report to board members at Haxtun Health last week.

Pace told board members during the April 26 meeting that the Colorado Option Bill is still being debated in State Legislature; it mandates a 20 percent reduction in insurance premiums and if that is not accomplished, then hospitals will be fined and rates will be set by the government. Pace said all healthcare associations and organizations throughout the State have strong opposition to the bill and are willing to work to lower costs, but the Option Bill is not the correct approach.

“Hospitals on the eastern plans have the lowest hospital costs and yet our patients pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the State,” Pace added. “We continue to advocate through the Colorado Hospital Association and the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium to oppose this bill and if it must pass, then ask for concessions for hospitals like ours.”

Pace said he believes a better approach would be to ask the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, Michael Conway, to take a close look at what people in our community pay for insurance and ask the insurance companies why they are charging the highest rates in the State to a community with the lowest hospital costs.

The issue, he said, is to be continued as the Bill moves through legislation.

Pace also announced the hiring of a new pharmacy director. Howard Kreisler has accepted the position of Director of Pharmacy Service at Haxtun Health. He holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Colorado and has experience in both inpatient and retail pharmacy.

“Howard is certified to do medication therapy management, clinical pharmaceutical consulting and is a pleasurable, polite, professional pharmacist,” Pace said. “Kreisler has been working at Haxtun Health as a part-time pharmacist and we are glad to have him assume the leadership role of our pharmacy services.”

Pace, along with Community Relations Officer Julia Biesemeier, gave a report on the main street clinic project. The contract to purchase property from the Town of Haxtun for construction staging and future parking has been signed and demolition of old buildings is wrapping up.

Pace said the original design of the new building along main street has been modified in response to the rising costs of materials. He said the building still has all the clinical space as originally planned but the second floor has been removed. “The front appearance will still be as originally planned with the look and feel of a tall building, similar to Town Hall,” he added.

In rolling with construction, Biesemeier also gave an update on the infrastructure project currently underway at the main Haxtun Health building. She said new HVAC units have been prepped and placed on the roof of the Extended Care Unit. Roofing she said, will begin in mid-May. “There will be minimal interruption to patients during this phase of the project,” Biesemeier said in her report. “This phase is slated to be completed at the beginning of June.

Phase two of the infrastructure project is in the planning and development stage.

Additionally, she said renovations at the Fleming clinic are underway with painting and other interior work in full swing. She said plans are for a grand opening in July.

In other business:

• Chief Financial Officer Joleen Stroyek said the acute care unit was 47 percent under budget for the month and 20 percent over budget year-to-date. Swing bed was 61 percent over budget while in-patient was under budget by 47 percent. Clinic visits, she said, came in at 686 for the month and 1,971 for 2021;

• Chief Operating Officer Susan Vaughn reported 1,633 vaccines have been given to date.