Jobs, services in jeopardy at tribal health center

PUYALLUP, Wash. – Puyallup Indian health officials are planning severe cuts to services and staff levels to counter decreasing federal funding and rising patient levels.

A letter sent this week from Rod Smith, executive director of the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, said officials planned layoffs, an end to employer contributions to the staff retirement plan and – for the first time in 12 years – no cost-of-living increases.

Officials have not said how many jobs will be cut. Smith said layoffs would occur in order of nonessential positions, least-effective employees and new hires. Employees would receive at least two weeks’ layoff notice and four weeks’ severance pay.

Smith’s letter followed one last month to 256 employees warning of the health center’s financial crisis.

The authority “is experiencing severe financial difficulties and has determined it must take drastic steps in order to survive this difficult period of time,” he wrote.

“At this time,” Smith said, “all positions are under review and are subject to elimination.”

Some patient services also will be reduced or suspended, and eligibility requirements will be more stringently enforced to reduce the patient load, Smith said.

The authority includes a pharmacy, medical lab, radiology department, and optometry and dental clinics. It also offers mental health counseling, physical therapy and chemical dependency treatment.

The center’s programs are paid for with federal funds and state grants. The tribe contributes no money.

Rising medical costs, inadequate federal revenues and a growing client base have contributed to the authority’s financial struggles, tribal spokesman John Weymer said.