Looking to gain insight on the challenges and opportunities of area healthcare systems, Washington State Representative Clyde Shavers joined Skagit Regional Health’s Executive Leadership Team for a roundtable chat and hospital tour on November 5, at Cascade Valley Hospital.

As a future member of the Healthcare Committee, Rep. Shavers engaged first on the topic of healthcare reimbursement. As public hospitals, both Cascade Valley and Skagit Valley hospitals have a high governmental payer mix, meaning the majority of our patients have Medicare or Medicaid insurance. The ongoing challenge is that healthcare costs are increasing at a much faster pace than are reimbursements. 

Given the anticipated State budget deficit, SRH leaders asked for Rep. Shavers’ support in protecting hospitals and healthcare systems from bearing the burden of the shortfall, citing the growing community need for access to more robust services, including post discharge solutions.

Rep. Shavers posed questions about workforce recruitment and contract labor expenses, to which leaders shared the decreased use of contract labor except to augment everyday staffing.

On the topic of mental and behavioral health resources, Rep. Shavers shared his ongoing work on a new bill to introduce funding for mental health professionals with a collaborative effort on training to be done in the school setting. Rep. Shavers also serves as Vice Chair of the Education Committee.

Rep. Shavers expressed his appreciation for the feedback that gave him good background on the area’s healthcare challenges. A tour through the hospital campus concluded his visit.