Written by Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, Interim President for Essentia Health’s North Dakota and Western Minnesota footprint
Essentia Health has been honored to care for the Fosston community since 2009. Although the challenges facing rural health care have changed over the years, our commitment to our patients and staff is stronger than Never. We know how important quality care and reliable, quality jobs are to the health and vitality of this region.
Our commitment to the community was reinforced last September, when a neutral arbitration panel ruled that Essentia continued to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the 2009 affiliation agreement. The decision stated that “the City does not has no right to terminate the affiliation agreement or require the transfer of Essentia’s interest in First Care (medical services) to the City.
Additionally, the committee recognized that Essentia provides comprehensive health care to Fosston and that city officials should not make legal, medical or financial decisions for Essentia. However, city officials refuse to end their dispute with Essentia, which will ultimately cost the city of Fosston and its residents in legal fees and wasted energy.
We want you to know that Essentia remains dedicated to caring for the people of Fosston. We are grateful to be able to care for our friends, families and neighbors in the area. This includes the provision of more than 20 critically important specialist services, such as cardiology, oncology and orthopedics. We have recently added new clinicians, including a family physician.
Unfortunately, it is increasingly difficult to maintain access to health care in small communities. Nationwide, rural patients are more likely to have government insurance like Medicare or Medicaid — programs that pay only about 70 percent of the cost of care. Combined with labor shortages impacting rural communities as well as rising labor and supply costs, hospitals and health systems are working hard to find solutions.
Because Essentia Health-Fosston is part of an integrated health system, we are better able to meet these challenges. Since 2010, about 200 rural hospitals nationwide have closed due to financial pressures. The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform reports that another 700 facilities are at risk of closing their doors. While Essentia Health-Fosston is not in danger of closing its doors, it will need unity and support to ensure local care continues to thrive.
Rural health care has changed significantly since the affiliation agreement was signed. We must adapt to ensure we can continue to provide the highest quality care to as many patients as possible. With a service area that is approximately 84% rural, Essentia addresses these challenges every day, preserving access to local care for the patients we serve.
In a survey last spring, 85% of former Essentia Health-Fosston patients were satisfied with their experience. This demonstrates the expertise and kindness of our colleagues, who are extremely proud of the work they accomplish. Their talent makes this community a healthier and more dynamic place to live.
We meet regularly with our staff to discuss the challenges and opportunities in rural health care today and keep them informed of the ongoing conflict in the City. Many employees tell us they are ready to put this situation behind them. They were frustrated by the uncertainty of the City’s involvement and the impact it could have on their jobs and livelihoods.
When the arbitration panel ruled in favor of Essentia, we believed it would allow us all to move forward and find common ground around the delivery of excellent local care. We continue to advocate for this outcome, which would benefit everyone involved.
For Essentia, the patients we are honored to serve and our dedicated colleagues will remain at the heart of every decision we make.