We know these are tough times—we don’t just work here, we LIVE here! We hope these services will help you to thrive this winter. • Urgent Care at EPHC: after hours visits to the ER are charged as a regular clinic visit. • Low Cost Lab Specials: now a full menu of lab specials are available every week day, all year long. You get the tests you need WHEN you need them. Self-pay. • Dental Clinic: our dental clinic takes most forms of commercial insurance. Please call 832.6507 for details. • Our Patient Financial Advocate can set you up with a payment plan, help you with MediCal...

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Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Lab Manager, Bill Carlson, is 2011 Employee of the Year. It’s an honor he’s proud of, especially since he was chosen by fellow staff members, all 250 of whom were also in the running for this award. In his multiple nominations, staff members described him as “an excellent example of a dedicated, caring, and highly competent employee, who is committed to excellent customer service,” said Cathy Conant, Director of Human Resources. Carlson was also touted for his “ability to partner with others,” a vital skill in this small and versatile hospital where, with state and federal funding cuts...

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This week's excellent article on the front page of the Portola Reporter, looks at the big picture in the long-term care crisis, brought to the fore by the state of California's cuts to hospital connected (Distinct Part) skilled nursing facilities. The newspaper's managing editor, Delaine Fragnoli, asks and answers all the right questions. She also infuses the article with heart and soul, using Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing patients as an example of what will happen if these cuts go into effect. This is a nation wide crisis that has hit Eastern Plumas and Sierra counties especially hard. The...

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Many members of our community have expressed outrage at the state cuts that are causing a $1.1 million per year loss in revenue to Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing facilities. EPHC is struggling to maintain all of its services while making sure that the hospital as a whole stays solvent. Those of you who would still like to write letters to lawmakers telling them why you think what the state of CA cuts to our skilled nursing residents is wrong, can send your letters to elected officials, either by regular mail or via email. If you need further assistance...

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The Eastern Plumas Health Care Board of Directors and several staff members will be holding their annual Indian Valley meeting on Wednesday Nov.16 at 10:30 am. at the Community Center across from the Sunrise. They will be sharing information about EPHC and also would appreciate input from our community about their Indian Valley Medical Clinic. For more information, call: 530.832.6564.

See the full article by Managing Editor, Delaine Fragnoli, on Feather Publishing's website: www.plumasnews.com It details: devastating state cuts to EPHC's skilled nursing facilities; our prominent role in the California Hospital Association case against the state Dept. of Health and federal Health and Human Services (including four of our patients who will serve as plaintiffs for the restraining order against the state); steps we are taking to cut costs and save our skilled nursing facilities and other services; area demographics; and more.

Eastern Plumas Health Care was informed Thursday night, Oct. 27, that the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) was approving California State Plan Amendment 11-010 which allows them to cut MediCal payments to its hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) by 10% of 2008 rates (in effect, a 23% cut). In addition, the cuts will be retroactive, causing EPHC to have to underwrite care it has already given back to June 1. Since a staggering 93% of its SNF patients are on MediCal, this amounts to a $1.1 million hit per year—an unsustainable reduction in revenue to a fragile hospital system...

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Approximately 100 people from Plumas and Sierra Counties showed up at EPHC’s Portola Education Center for a town hall meeting with Rocky Deal, Rep. Tom McClintock’s aide and Nadine Bailey, aide to Dan Logue. At risk are 58 residents of our two Skilled Nursing Facilities (one in Loyalton, one in Portola), as the state has passed an amendment that would roll back Medicare/Medical rates for the SNF’s 23%. This would amount to a $1.1 million hit to EPHC, and it would force closure of these facilities. Residents, friends, and families were on hand to ask pointed questions and to suggest...

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EPHC's October digital mammo screening continues throughout the month. For only $80, patients can call 530.832.6516 and schedule their screening utilizing our new state of the art digital mammography equipment. Offering higher quality, rapid results, more comfort, and less radiation, now there's no excuse! Call to schedule your digital mammogram today. Appointments are nearly full for October, but if you call this month, you'll get the special rate for your November appointment!

EPHC staff members attended a flag ceremony in honor of Pauline Coe Erwin, on Monday, Oct. 17. Evie Smith donated the new flag in memory of her friend and co-worker, Pauline, who died last Dec. 26th of cancer. The flag was raised in front of EPHC’s Portola hospital. Staff members observed a moment of silence for Pauline. Her husband Ken was on hand for the ceremony. Ken recalls that she most enjoyed “doing something for somebody else.” Added, Evie, “She was just a beautiful person.”