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Lewis County hospital reports year‑to‑date loss, highlights workforce-training grants
Summary
The legislature’s hospital board representative reported July month results below budget and a year‑to‑date loss; hospital leaders said delayed Medicaid supplemental payments and travel‑nurse costs are primary stresses and described grants funding local LPN training.
The Lewis County board representative on the hospital board of managers reported that the hospital’s July results were below budget and that the year‑to‑date position shows a larger loss than planned.
At the Aug. 27 board meeting, the hospital’s chief financial presentation showed a monthly gain of $129,000 compared with a budgeted gain of $433,000 for July and a year‑to‑date loss of about $1,700,000 versus a budgeted loss of $319,000. Hospital officials said outpatient visits and clinic gross revenue trailed budget while emergency department visits were roughly in line with expectations. Purchased‑service costs were higher than budget because of traveling‑nurse staffing.
Hospital representatives told the board the timing of Medicaid supplemental payments is a key factor: if those payments had arrived on schedule the hospital’s results would be closer to budget. Officials said recruitment, pipeline development and local training programs are part of a strategy to reduce reliance on traveling clinicians.
Workforce training update: The hospital reported full tuition for a recent LPN class was covered by a Caring Jean grant. The county and partners received additional grant funding to rebuild the lab and supply the program so a second class can begin this month and a further class is planned for next September. Hospital leaders said similar approaches are being pursued for a CNA program as part of ‘‘grow‑your‑own’’ workforce efforts.
Why it matters: The hospital’s financial position affects local access to services and employment; delayed state supplemental payments and high contract staffing costs are immediate budget pressures.
Sources and attribution: The financial figures and program details were presented to the legislature by its representative on the hospital board and by hospital staff during the board report. The transcript attributes the financial overview to the board representative and defers some operational detail to hospital staff identified as "Mr. Kayer."
