MY TURN: Community concern over changes to Kootenai Health's pool therapy services
Kootenai Health completed its transition from a public hospital district to a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization on Jan. 1, 2024. This change, approved by the board of trustees in May 2023, was to enhance patient care and expand services. However, there are concerns that, contrary to this intent, the transition may be resulting in a reduction of patient care and services.
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the fee for pool therapy has increased from $5 to $15 per visit — a 200% hike — while available hours have been slashed from 20 hours per week to just four hours per week. Many community members believe these measures prioritize financial gains over accessible, affordable healthcare for those who need it most.
Local residents, including elderly seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, are particularly affected by these changes. Many seniors depend on consistent, heated pool therapy to improve mobility, manage chronic pain and maintain independence. The reduced hours and increased costs threaten their ability to access essential treatment.
Veterans and disabled community members, who often utilize the facility’s warm water therapy and assistive devices like chair lifts, now face additional barriers to care. For many on fixed incomes, these increases and limitations could mean the loss of critical health benefits.
Community supporters emphasize that the aquatic center was generously funded by Jim and Doreen Terrill, whose vision was rooted in service and community support. Supporters believe decisions should honor that legacy by ensuring equitable access for all community members and call for policies that support, rather than hinder, the health and independence of those who rely on this service.
Kootenai Health prides itself on safety. How safe is it when 20 or more people arrive simultaneously in the small dressing rooms that contain only two showers? Additionally, since all these individuals need to leave at the same time and repeat the process, what measures are in place to ensure their safety? Specifically there are concerns about the potential for slipping and falling on the wet crowded floors. Additionally, the disabled dressing room allows for only two people at a time. How are these people able to get in and out of the pool on time when there is a line of three or more waiting in wheelchairs?
Thank you to the many independent pool users who signed off on a request to Kootenai Health to reinstate the morning hours and reduce the fee from $15 per visit to $7. It is with hope that this new policy will be revisited and amended to better serve the community's needs.
To voice your opinions and advocate for necessary changes, contact the following individuals: Tyler Blackwelder, director of Rehabilitation Services @ [email protected], Jameson Smith, CEO @ [email protected], Joel Hazel, chief legal officer @ [email protected].
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JoAnn Lokken is a resident of Coeur d'Alene.