Outside consultants have both concluded that Sitka Community Hospital will suffer financially if the status quo is maintained. ECG Management Consultants said SCH risked closure in three years, while Stroudwater forecasted ten years of decline in net income and cash flow. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
On Tuesday, July 18th at 6 p.m., Raven Radio will broadcast a special meeting of the Sitka Assembly as they discuss the future of Sitka Community Hospital and healthcare in the region. They will take action in an ongoing decision about the hospital’s management, which could include issuing a request for proposal (RFP).
“We have a few options now,” said Mayor Matthew Hunter. “We could decide to take a year and see what Sitka Community Hospital does with the Stroudwater Report. We could decide to issue a request for proposal (RFP) and figure how that would work.” If the Assembly chooses the RFP route, he added, they would direct city staff to take up the matter.
Hunter added that it’s unlikely the Assembly will move forward with SEARHC’s proposal, as written. That was on the table two weeks ago, but recent interest from the owners of the Sitka Hotel prompted the city and the Assembly to re-evaluate the sale process. “That expression of interest was enough to really make everyone realize that a sole-source contract was not a viable option for us to take.”
Once the meeting is called to order, the Assembly will take 3-minute comments before and after their discussion.
