OLYMPIC MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - Port Angeles, WA

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit the Olympic Memorial Hospital Foundation. ANY donation will help make an impact!

If you are not already aware, many small rural hospitals are having trouble financially. This is happening for several reasons: 1) COVID; 2) rural communities tend to have a large number of retirees who are on Medicare - the payments from Medicare are much less than what the services they need cost; 3) uninsured and the homeless require treatment that is unpaid; 4) not enough permanent doctors requires the hospitals to hire traveling physicians which cost much more and; 5) not enough doctors in the area means that many

patients are advised to go to the emergency room which makes a routine treatment for many procedures cost much more.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?????

Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles, WA is one such hospital dealing with many of these issues. It opened its doors in 1951. It serves about 30,000 residents (Port Angeles - population 20,000/Sequim - population 8000/and other individuals in the surrounding areas).

If you look at the map on the preceding montage, you will notice that the area is surrounded by water. Access to the area involves crossing floating bridges, using ferries, and driving on one-lane winding roads. This takes precious time! Although a medical helicopter will transport patients to Seattle, the cost to the patient is approximately $30,000 which is due prior to getting on the flight. Most families cannot afford this option!

This fund is meant to get the hospital out of debt and establish an interest-bearing account to help them through the next several years as they tighten their budget, explore more staffing options, and apply for additional government funding.

According to a US News report, over 200 rural hospitals have closed nationwide between

2005 and 2019. Let's do something to save the hospital in Port Angeles, WA! I know that it seems like every time we turn around, someone is asking for money. We as a nation send many donations overseas for various causes......how about making a donation that will help our local residents.....

SPREAD THE WORD. This funding campaign will launch Nov. 20, 2023 and end April 13th, 2024 with a benefit concert being held in Port Angeles. LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE! WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

With THANKS from a former resident.