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Boards adopt joint resolution seeking improved health-care services; members favor regional outreach
Summary
Both boards passed a joint health-care resolution to seek additional services; members discussed inviting regional partners and health systems to explore options, including birthing services or smaller specialty providers, rather than relying solely on major systems.
Both the town and county indicated they have passed a health-care resolution to request better local services and committed to pursuing additional partners and outreach. Elected officials said the resolution is intended to invite discussion with regional providers and to press for restoration or introduction of services that residents say are missing locally.
Speakers flagged concerns about market structure. One supervisor said larger systems have restructured services and that smaller, boutique or regional providers — including birthing centers or midwife-led services — might be an alternative path to restoring specific care lines. "I think it needs to be a valley issue where all the affected areas come together," a board member said, urging collaboration across neighboring counties.
Members proposed a mix of actions, including a regional invitation to providers, outreach to Valley Health (the dominant regional system), and potential economic-development incentives to attract smaller or specialty providers. Staff offered to coordinate initial outreach and to draft a plan for engaging neighboring localities and health-care networks.
