Clinic Board Rejects $525,000 Federal Grant
Thursday, July 19 2012
The board of the Iliuliuk Family and Health Services clinic voted to reject a $525,000 federal grant at a meeting Wednesday night.
The grant is part of a Health Resources and Services Administration program designed to increase rural access to healthcare. In 2011, the IFHS clinic requested money for a mobile exam room, to be installed in a van. The van would have traveled to processors and harbors to cut wait times at the clinic’s main site during fishing seasons.
The federal government didn’t approve the grant request until this June. Eileen Scott, the executive director of the IFHS clinic, told the board the clinic has changed its operations since they asked for the van. They’ve extended their hours during A season and added more health care providers. Scott told the board that the stakeholders who wanted the van have changed their minds.
“It made good sense back then," Scott said. "But we sat down with the processing safety officers at all the plants and also public safety, and we went through it [and asked,] 'Does this make sense? Do you guys think you still need this?' Everybody at the table was adamant that we did not need a clinic mobile van because the clinic had changed the way we operate the facility.”
The board discussed accepting the grant and buying the van anyways. Board member Sharon Svarny-Livingston was against that idea.
“We have changed drastically," she said. "We've worked through our problems and streamlined the clinic and I think the maintenance on a facility like a moving clinic would become way more than we could afford. I just think that it would become a tremendous burden on the clinic.”
The board debated other uses for the grant, including a CAT scan machine or an ambulance. Scott explained that those purchases wouldn’t meet the conditions of the grant, which has to fund a new healthcare site.
The vote to turn down the funding was unanimous. The board also voted to reappoint members Sinclair Wilt and Harriet Berikoff.
Concerned Community Member on Tuesday, August 07 2012:
In my humble opinion; I think Ms. Scott showed our community what is we were looking for, and lacking in years past; knowledge, skills, and awareness as to what we as a community and as an organization can and cannot do with regards to grants.
I think Ms. Scott, possess the knowledge, skills and awareness as to what is needed at IFHS, as far as equipment, and immediate care for citizens of our community. If the $525,000.00 grant was not the right path to take, to help our community and its emergency/medical health care needs, I entrust Ms. Scott will find a grant that will. Our health care, educated providers and immediate health care is essential and important to all of us. In saying this, Ms. Scott, I entrust you with the health, safety and well-being of my family, in that you WILL find better ways of providing the essential health care needs for all.
Joe T. Plumber on Thursday, July 26 2012:
It shows the new clinic administration is being responsible rather than reckless and falsifying information as the previous clinic administrator admitted to the City during a public hearing. IFHS Clinic, nice job cleaning up the place.
Jesus on Wednesday, July 25 2012:
Sharon Livingston is clueless! The Board of Directors voted for this grant application only a few months ago and now change their mind. The clinic has NOT changed that much since Sonia sadly left. Sonia worked hard for this grant and it is a shame the funds are being sent back!