Bright trees in medical forest

To the many people supporting this weekend's annual fundraisers for Kootenai Health, you're experiencing the good feelings of knowing you're building something worthwhile. As a matter of fact, you're also making a big investment in the local economy.

This is the 24th annual Festival of Trees at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. While ticketed events have either already happened or are sold out, you can still view 29 beautifully decorated Christmas trees at The Resort today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kootenai Health's neonatal services, with particular focus on premature babies, will benefit from the outpouring of generosity this year. If anywhere near last year's $360,557 is raised, that will represent a substantial boost to a program that Kootenai Health intends to expand so it can better compete with hospitals in Spokane. And that's why donors should feel particularly good about supporting our tremendous regional hospital.

Between Kootenai Health, Northwest Specialty Hospital and other outstanding providers on this side of the state line, Kootenai County can compete with the best medical services Spokane has to offer. Just like consumers of other products, patients have choices. Increasingly, there are many reasons to stay home for health care.

By receiving your medical attention here, you're doing more than taking good care of yourself. You're making a powerful impact on the local economy.

Every year, tens of millions of dollars in medical care flow from North Idaho over to Spokane. It's a little like the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer; life-sustaining water that Spokane has not just tapped, but made its own by renaming the aquifer in its honor. Once upon a time, Spokane offered a much greater variety and perhaps even a higher level of medical care than did Kootenai County, but no longer.

We urge you to learn what local health-care providers have to offer. When you do, it won't just be a worthwhile charity, like Festival of Trees, that you're supporting. You'll be strengthening the local network of health care and dramatically improving the local economy at the same time.