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Coos County approves Oregon Health Authority grant amendment and funds two public-health positions
Summary
The Coos County Board of Commissioners approved Amendment 9 to IGA #185,806 with the Oregon Health Authority to add a rural health transformation grant element (about $297,000) and authorized two new public‑health positions — a medical care assistant and a WIC public‑health aid — intended to be ramped into revenue-generating roles.
The Coos County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved Amendment 9 to Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) #185,806 with the Oregon Health Authority, adding a rural health transformation grant element and authorizing Coos Health & Wellness interim director Dr. Tim Lynch to sign the amendment.
Dr. Tim Lynch, identified to the board as interim director of Coos Health & Wellness, told commissioners the new element is “for $297,000” and is designed to “bolster up our rural communities and public health, and give an opportunity for us to strengthen our workforce within our community.” He said the element is guaranteed for four years and that staff have outlined a plan to make positions sustainable after training.
As part of the same package, the board approved the posting and eventual hiring of two positions: a Public Health Medical Care Assistant and a WIC Public Health Aid. Lynch and staff said the roles are intended to be trained and then billed to the county’s coordinated care organization (CCO) so they will become revenue-generating positions after an initial ramp-up period. “This is going to fill that gap in a short term,” Lynch said, describing the grant-funded window intended to cover initial training until billing begins.
Commissioners pressed staff on what happens after the four‑year guaranteed funding ends; staff said the county expects to bill the CCO (Advanced Health) and other payors for services once the positions are established, reducing dependence on the grant. Commissioners asked for assurances about financial sustainability and the timeline for when billing would ramp up; staff said the positions will be trained and then begin billing as appropriate.
The board voted unanimously to approve the IGA amendment and to authorize the posting and filling of both positions. Public comment was not offered on these items.
Next steps: Dr. Lynch and Coos Health & Wellness staff will post the job descriptions and proceed with hiring and training; the county will rely on grants and eventual CCO billing to sustain the roles after the grant period.
