Support for Peace Health Ketchikan Medical Center’s Certificate of Need Application

April 15, 2014

 

Alexandria Hicks, Certificate of Need Coordinator
DHSS, Division of Health Care Services
Office of Rate Review
3601 C Street, Ste. 978
Anchorage, AK  99503-5924

Ms. Hicks:

I write this letter to express the support of the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce for Peace Health Ketchikan Medical Center’s Certificate of Need Application.

Our Chamber works to promote regional economic growth, a climate that is good for both businesses and their employees, a quality of life that attracts year-round residents, and a stable, ready workforce. Peace Health Ketchikan Medical Center supports each aspect of this mission unequivocally, but in its current state the facility falls short of truly meeting our community’s needs.

Beyond the major repairs required by the basic infrastructure of the building, both the operating rooms and emergency room need renovation; our operating rooms are simply too small to accommodate modern medical equipment and practice. In addition to these upgrades, our community is in desperate need of more clinical space for office visits. For these reasons, the Chamber supports the Peace Health Ketchikan Medical Center addition project and the facility’s Certificate of Need Application.

Upgrades and additions to our local medical facility are needed to truly make Ketchikan an attractive place to live and work. Access to quality healthcare in modern facilities provides a foundation for Ketchikan’s socioeconomic growth, and this fact cannot be ignored. The Ketchikan Chamber asks that you certify the need for these new facilities and begin design and procurement processes at the earliest possible date.

Sincerely,

 

Chelsea J. Goucher, Executive Director
Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
O: (907) 225-3184
C: (907) 220-2133
E: chelsea@ketchikanchamber.com

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