South Bend, Indiana – Valley View Medical Center proposed to provide Pacific County mental health services, but the matching funds amounting to $50,000 from the county that is currently cash-strapped is proving to be difficult.
Steven Clark, the Executive Director of Valley View and Doctor Tre Normoyle the director of behavioral health pointed this issue out to the commissioners last October 28. In Raymond, Chehalis based Valley View started providing urgent care for medical patients and also dental patients 5 years ago. Valley View has nine urgent care clinics and focuses their efforts on uninsured patients.
Steven Clark stated that they have had big successes with their current mental health services, particularly their social innovations and behavioral health projects in Lewis County. He added that they would like to bring those same services to Pacific County as well. Doctor Tre Normoyle stated that in Lewis County, their matching funds were 0.01 percent of the sales tax by county.
The District 1 Commission Chairman, Steve Rogers stated that they have not yet implemented the proposed sales tax addition as of the moment. He added that they have been in discussion with the residents of Pacific County and are planning to have some public meetings also once their budget process is through later this fall. This is to take into consideration the public’s point of view regarding the 0.01 percent to help anticipate considering it.
Lisa Ayers, a Commissioner of District 3 meanwhile stated that a particular advisory committee are tasked to make recommendations regarding how funds collected will be implemented.
Rogers questioned what Valley View is currently doing and long term plans for patients searching for urgent care near me, specifically those with mental health issues.
Clark answered by stating that they are doing their best in providing adequate mental health services, like primary care visits. But sadly, he added that such primary care physicians are really not properly trained and equipped in handling and treating such mental health issues.
Steven Clark also added that if the new plan is implemented, it would be considered a preventive program. Like any urgent care clinic, Willapa Behavioral Health aims to assist and help those who are very sick, but lacks on needed preventative care. He added that it is more important to keep individuals from getting sick so they won’t need their services anymore.
The commissioners looked impressed, but also cautioned Steven Clark about how significant the funding issue was. Rogers meanwhile emphasized that mental health services cannot be the same if a county’s economy is different in scale.
