Hospital measure on ballot Nov. 2

A proposed measure on hospital funding that will appear on the November ballot has some taxpayers concerned.

"The number one concern is competition," said Larry Spencer, a Spirit Lake businessman who is vocal on many community issues.

House Joint Resolution #4 would allow county and district hospitals to incur long-term debt to renovate facilities or finance new technologies without voter approval.

Currently, public hospitals cannot incur debt without two-thirds public vote.

Spencer worries that freedom from voter approval would result in hospitals spending recklessly to compete with one another.

"We're going to create a hospital race," Spencer said. "If we don't build our (hospital) bigger and faster, someone next to us will."

He also worries that excessive spending could result in hospitals raising rates to pay for the new equipment and improvements.

"It will drive the cost of medical care in Idaho through the roof," he said.

But Mike Pruitt, CEO of Shoshone Medical Center, says the measure will merely allow hospitals to purchase needed improvements without having to wait for an election to roll around.

"The time factor, the ability to replace equipment when you need it, is the issue," Pruitt said. "I think it would help a lot of communities." - Alecia Warren