The Klickitat Valley Health hospital (KVH) has elected not to participate in Initiative 1000, which allows doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients.
The measure, which passed in November and is also known as Washington's Death with Dignity Act, lets hospitals create their own policies about "physician-assisted dying," or PAD.
Administrators this week said the practice, once called "doctor-assisted suicide," has raised questions for physicians, pharmacists, and counselors.
"After careful, thoughtful conversations with our medical staff, board of commissioners, and community members, the KVH Board of Commissioners has chosen to not participate," said interim CEO Philip Hanna, in a written statement.
"This means that KVH physicians, employees, independent contractors and volunteers shall not assist a patient in ending the patient's life. In addition, no provider may participate on the premises of the hospital or in property owned by the hospital."
The measure stipulates no providers are required to participate, although those that don't must provide public notice.
According to KVH administration, providers may independently contract outside their role with KVH to participate in the Act, off KVH premises.
They stressed no patient will be denied other medical care or treatment because of the patient's participation under the Act. Furthermore, the patient will be treated in the same manner as all other KVH patients and the appropriate standard of care will be followed.
Administrators said patients who want the service will be given information about how to obtain it.
"All providers at KVH will respond to any patient's query about life-ending medication with openness and compassion," said Hanna. "KVH believes our providers have an obligation to openly discuss the patient's concerns, unmet needs, feelings, and desires about the dying process.
"Providers should seek to learn the meaning behind the patient's questions and help the patient understand the range of available options, including but not limited to comfort care, hospice care, and pain control."
"Ultimately, KVH's goal is to help patients make informed decisions about end-of-life care."
Council elects newest member
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
The Goldendale City Council has elected resident Clint Baze as its newest member.
The 3-2 decision was made at a meeting last Tuesday evening during two rounds of voting. In the first, the four contenders included Baze, Terry Campbell, Len Crawford, and Jerry Ream. Council members voted for their top two choices.
Crawford and Ream were eliminated, leaving the decision between Baze and Campbell. Baze secured the post by a one-vote margin.
The Goldendale business owner said he is thrilled to take on the position, which will allow him to serve a city he cares very much about.
"I like the community I live in and I'd just like to do my part to keep it that way," said Baze. "It's kind of a payback deal. They've done good by me and I want to do the same by them. I want to see our city stay as unique as it is."
Baze said his top priorities in the coming months will be to promote businesses coming into Goldendale's industrial park, get more training for the police department, and encourage tourism.
"Clint is a young family man in the community who wants to do his part," said City treasurer Tracy Hansen. "He came across as genuinely interested in making a difference." She added he appears willing to listen before making decisions and brings a new perspective, which will be an asset to the city meetings.
"We already have full debates within the council and I think his voice is just going to add to that," said Hansen.
Baze lives in Goldendale with his wife, Kymm, and daughters Jenna, Hannah, and Sierra. The couple owns Bubba's Buggy Bath and is also involved in construction.
Six jump into legislative race
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
About three dozen citizens and officials gathered last Tuesday at the Klickitat PUD in Goldendale to discuss the possible closure of Brooks Memorial State Park.
According to Bill Koss of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the preference at this point is to find another agency or private entity to take over operation of the park.
However, as a last resort, the state is maintaining the possibility of closing it indefinitely, a move they have called "mothballing" the park.
"The purpose of the meeting is to allow for discussion of options, in case the budget causes State Parks to seek transfer or mothballing of Brooks Memorial State Park," park officials said in a written statement, released just before the meeting. "State Parks staff will share information and also hear public comment about the important features of the park that should be protected if a closure ultimately occurs."
Brooks Memorial State Park was put on a list of Washington parks under threat of closure earlier this year, according to a budget proposal outlined by Governor Christine Gregoire.
It is part of a bigger proposal to shave off at least 10 percent of funding to all state agencies. For Washington State Park and Recreation, that means upwards of $10 million, Koss said.
Around mid-March to mid-April, the state will begin to get serious about final budgets, Koss said Tuesday. It is at that time they will have a better idea of what exactly needs to be cut.
The current proposal is to eliminate about $6.5 million through job freezes, delayed equipment purchases, holding off on a lifeguard training program, putting off a facility assessment, eliminate some field offices, and other program delays or cancellations.
The remaining $3.5 million would be gained by unloading or closing lower valued parks, including Brooks.
They also hope to gain $900,000 by allocating lease income to their general fund.
The Parks and Recreation Commission will make the final decision about what will be cut.
The popular state park near Satus Pass outside Goldendale is one of 13 facilities with sections still in question.
Also on the list are Osoyoos Lake, Schafer, Bogachiel, Tolmie, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Wenberg, Fort Ward, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Lake Sylvia and Old Fort Townsend.
Brooks Memorial State Park is a 700-acre, year-round camping park located between the barren hills of the south Yakima Valley and the lodge pole pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains.
Local participants in Tuesday's discussions included Jim Harris, eastern regional manager for Commission and Klickitat County Commissioner Ray Thayer.
State stops admissions to adult family home in Lyle
The state has stopped admissions to Margie's Lyle AFH, a privately-operated adult family home near the Columbia River in Klickitat County.
The adult family home is licensed to Margaret Stohler, according to a press release from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Authorities from DSHS took the action after finding multiple violations that adversely affected the safety and well-being of residents, officials said. One violation included the provider allowing her daughter to be on the premises of the adult family home.
According to the release, this resulted in "yelling and arguing between the provider and her daughter in front of residents."
Law enforcement had to intervene and the incident caused "emotional harm to all the residents."
While the home is in stop placement, licensee may not admit residents, according to DSHS.
The provider has the right to contest the stop placement and revocation by requesting an administrative hearing within 28 days of state notification, DSHS said.
Current residents may stay in the home pending completion of the appeal process. If a resident chooses to remain, DSHS will continue to monitor the home for resident safety, officials said.
