EDITORIAL: You've got questions; hear KH answers

There’s a new player in the public service arena.

Make that four of them.

The four Kootenai County chambers of commerce put their heads together, formed a committee and, during election season, conducted a public forum featuring candidates for North Idaho College’s Board of Trustees. While the information they gather is passed along to chamber members, the public forum approach makes that information available to everyone.

Now the four chambers — Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum — are stepping up again. On Dec. 8, the committee is hosting an informational session to help the public understand what Kootenai Health officials are thinking as they consider switching to a nonprofit organizational structure.

There is no bigger or more important player in the county than Kootenai Health. With more than 3,500 employees and a massive footprint that touches virtually all phases of North Idaho life, the organization’s health is critically important to us all.

While the informational session is just over one week away, the deadline for people to submit their questions for consideration is this Friday. We encourage readers to spend a few minutes on the KH website to familiarize themselves with some of the background before submitting questions.

For some insight into what Kootenai Health leaders are considering, go to: KH.org/501c3

Once you’re ready, send your questions to: connect@cdachamber.com

One of the key points likely to be addressed is the status of Kootenai Health as a taxing district. As it stands now, Kootenai Health has the ability to tax property owners, the same authority wielded by every other taxing district in the state.

However, unlike the others, KH boards have steadfastly refused to levy that tax. If leaders choose to go nonprofit, the hospital will lose its ability to tax property owners. How that would affect the future health of the organization is being discussed and, no doubt, debated.

The informational session, moderated by chamber committee members, will take place Dec. 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. ​​at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave. The public is welcome to attend.

The Press appreciates Kootenai Health representatives stepping up to explain the advantages and disadvantages of switching to a nonprofit model. It’s our hope that how such a change might impact patients is a discussion priority.

The Press also applauds the four chambers of commerce for pulling together to generate accurate information for public consumption. That’s a plus not just for chamber members, but for the community as a whole.