OHH’s Tax Cap Increase Paves Way for 10-Year Plan

Olney Hamilton Hospital (OHH) representatives are excited to move forward in 2021 now that the residents have supported the tax cap initiative on the recent ballot. OHH administrator praised the widespread community support that will “keep the hospital healthy for another 100 years, help to fund patient care, and ensure future access to capital.”

“We are excited about the completion of our EMS Dorm, ambulance bays, an additional physician office, exam rooms, and a storage building [for] construction projects,” said Dale Lovett, OHH board president.

OHH CEO Mike Huff explains that although they are excited about the level of community support received for the initiative, the tax cap increase is not a quick fix but part of a long-term piece in a complex puzzle. He said the support received is indicative of the importance of having a thriving hospital in the community.

“While the annual amount of increased tax revenue will be moderate, the long-term value is enormous. The additional capital will be used for patient care equipment and supplies,” Huff said.

Huff acknowledges the challenges rural hospitals face considering the increased amount of uncompensated care and a decrease in funding. Add the adverse economic impact of COVID, and you will understand why rural hospitals are closing rapidly.

“We have actually seen a decrease in clinic visits. This is because patients are reluctant to go to the doctor. We are also having great difficulties with transferring very ill COVID-19 patients to facilities for a higher level of care,” Huff said.

FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccine has pushed accessibility of the vaccine to the forefront of conversations throughout the community.

“We are expecting to receive our full allotment of COVID vaccine by the second quarter of 2021,” Lovett said.

Stating that the taxes will only increase a few cents per year, providing a gradual income increase throughout the next 10 years, Lovett divulged,

“The hospital will be losing the wind farm tax abatement, but the taxes will not make up for that loss; there is between $5M-$7M in uncompensated care each year, but the taxes will not make up for that loss; there are ever-mounting challenges for rural hospitals, but the taxes will not make up for that demand. What it gives us is one more part of our overall strategy to ensure the hospital is viable and serving our citizens.”

As the most prolonged continuing operating rural hospital in Texas with more than 111 years of service to the community and two national quality awards, the hospital plays a vital role in the local economy—employing approximately 120 employees. OHH staff comprises a diverse team of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and medical providers.

Lovett said, “We have a very low turnover, especially in the Licensed Personnel positions as compared to the state average. Unlike most rural hospitals, we have staff that drives from other communities to work here. We also have applicants of nurses waiting for an opening to work here.”

The operational staff includes nurse practitioners Carol Davidson (clinical patient care), Brandi Elliott (Olney Family Clinic manager and home visits), Randi Rowe (Archer Family Clinic), and doctors Mark Mankins, Aaron Purdy, Caceres, Chantal Taylor and Jeremy Johnson.

Other medical providers include doctors Santos, Otte, Stanley, Perez, Palmer, Thota, Malireddy, Kenney and Vaughn.

Lovett concluded with an overview of OHH’s vision for 2021.

“We have had the trust of the greater Olney area to provide their health care needs for 112 years. This trust is exemplified in the patients that travel to us from Wichita, Archer, Jack, Baylor and Throckmorton counties. It is also demonstrated by the employees that drive from the same areas to work here because Olney Hamilton Hospital is a family more than a job. Moving forward, we want to regain the patient volume to the pre-COVID levels and more. We want to continue to initiate new services to better provide for the depth of care the citizens need. We want them to feel safe with the family of care that OHH gives.”