While rural health care has changed, our commitment to Fosston hasn't

Written by Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, interim president for Essentia Health's North Dakota and western Minnesota footprint

Essentia Health has had the honor of caring for the Fosston community since 2009. While the challenges facing rural health care have changed over the years, our commitment to our patients and our staff is as solid as ever. We know how important high-quality care and good, reliable jobs are to the health and vitality of this region.

Our commitment to the community was reinforced last September, when a neutral arbitration panel ruled that Essentia continues to meet the responsibilities outlined in the 2009 affiliation agreement. The ruling stated, "the City does not have the right to terminate the Affiliation Agreement or compel the transfer of Essentia's interest in First Care (Medical Services) to the City."

Further, the panel recognized that Essentia provides comprehensive health care in Fosston, and that City officials should not make legal, medical or financial decisions for Essentia. However, City officials refuse to move on from their dispute with Essentia, which will end up costing the City of Fosston and its residents through legal fees and misplaced energy.

We want you to know that Essentia remains dedicated to caring for the people of Fosston. We are grateful for the opportunity to care for our friends, families and neighbors in the area. That includes providing more than 20 critically important specialty services, such as cardiology, oncology and orthopedics. We have recently added new clinicians, including a family medicine physician.

Unfortunately, maintaining access to health care in small communities is increasingly difficult. Across the country, rural patients are more likely to have government insurance like Medicare or Medicaid – programs that only pay about 70% of the cost to provide care. Combined with workforce shortages affecting rural communities as well as rising labor and supply costs, hospitals and health systems are working hard to find solutions.

Because Essentia Health-Fosston is part of an integrated health system, we are better able to address these challenges. Since 2010, about 200 rural hospitals nationwide have closed due to financial pressures. The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform reports that another 700 are at risk of closing. While Essentia Health-Fosston is not at risk of closing, it will require unity and support to ensure local care continues to thrive.

Rural health care has changed significantly in the time since the affiliation agreement was signed. We have to adapt to ensure we can continue providing the highest quality care to the most patients possible. With a service area that is about 84% rural, Essentia navigates these challenges every day, preserving access to care close to home for the patients we serve.

In a survey last spring, 85% of past patients at Essentia Health-Fosston were satisfied with their experience. That is a testament to the expertise and caring of our colleagues, who take immense pride in the work they do. Their talent makes this community a healthier and more vibrant place to live.

We meet with our staff regularly to talk about the challenges and opportunities in rural health care today and keep them informed about the City’s ongoing dispute. We hear from many employees that they are ready to put this situation behind them. They have been frustrated by the uncertainty of City involvement and how it could impact their employment and livelihood.

When the arbitration panel ruled in Essentia’s favor, we thought it would allow us all to move forward and find common ground around the delivery of excellent local care. We continue to advocate for this outcome, which would benefit everyone involved.

For Essentia, the patients we’re honored to serve and our dedicated colleagues will remain at the heart of every decision we make.