Community Comments
We possess a $2.5 million state-of-the-art facility. We have recently appointed new leadership. Progress hinges on establishing trust. I confidently entrust you to vote Yes for the Levy.
Many people utilize it now. You may not need it now, but things change quickly. Let’s not lose what we have. A few cents to invest in our own well-being and community !
- Rod Woodside, Maupin
I write in support of the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin, Oregon. Since the creation of the White River Health District in 2001, residents have been hopeful that the clinic would remain a vital community health resource in an otherwise underserved part of the state. Although its capacity to serve was deeply affected by the pandemic and the serious nationwide shortage of primary care clinicians, a group of individuals of varied backgrounds has coalesced—and is growing—with a single-minded, heartfelt goal: returning the clinic to its past capacities and more. Reviving the clinic is a crucial step to making Maupin’s economy more stable, and the area more livable. It is my hope that enough resources can be gathered to fill this dire need for not just Maupin, but for the whole of South Wasco County.
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Jordan Belozer, Maupin
We need a local healthcare option! Please vote yes!
- Sara Morelli and Emily Black, Maupin
Healthcare is necessary in all communities, including our small rural town. Having access to quick, quality medical/dental care is imperative to the well-being of our community.
I have personally used the clinic for dental care, and was happy with my experience. It is so nice to be able to drive only a few miles for such wonderful care, especially when it's provided by a familiar face!
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Madeline Rhoades, Maupin
The effort to bring affordable, quality health care to South Wasco County began over 25 years ago, and has involved several generations of stalwart advocates, including volunteers, health district board members and medical and administrative staff. Friends and family members of ours were amongst the original group who organized the creation of the district and construction of the first clinic, so we have had a ring side seat since its inception. Probably many of you can say the same.
Unfortunately, the clinic suffers from an inadequate funding base. Its permanent tax base is only 25 cents per thousand dollars of property valuation, when it should be more like 75 cents. To stabilize its finances, we need to pass a supplementary levy every five years to make up the difference. We are writing to ask your support for this levy request in the upcoming special election.
With stable, adequate funding, the clinic should be able to provide service levels sufficient to qualify as a Rural Health Clinic under Medicare and Medicaid guidelines. This will entitle it to a higher reimbursement rate under those programs, and since the majority of the clinic’s patients are covered by Medicare and Medicaid, being designated a Rural Health Clinic will help a great deal. In the meantime, our continued support is vital.
Having been “born” at the beginning of the “Great Recession”, and having more recently weathered the Covid pandemic, it’s rather remarkable that the health district has not only managed to operate, but to enlarge and improve its facilities. We should all be proud of what the health district and its supporters have accomplished. Please join us in helping to keep our health care local.
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Mike and Dani Foreaker, Maupin
I write in support of the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin, Oregon. Since the creation of the White River Health District in 2001, the Clinic has been a vital community health resource in an otherwise underserved part of the state.
Many residents in rural South Wasco County survive on fixed incomes. Access to health care is a challenge especially for our families with small children and our retired population. Lack of a reliable vehicle, fuel, cost and the time taken off work to travel to larger towns all contribute to the difficulties for many residents.
The Deschutes Erim Health Clinic was deeply affected by the pandemic and the serious nationwide shortage of primary care clinicians. Recently, a group of individuals of varies backgrounds has coalesced -and is growing- with a single minded, heartfelt goals; returning the clinic to its past capacities and more.
It is my hope resources can be mustered to jump start this growth.
I will be voting YES in May, as I did on previous ballots. Most importantly, I feel strongly that everyone in our south county should have access to health care. As a retired homeowner with a reliable vehicle, I am able to travel to The Dalles but would much prefer to have local providers and a thriving clinic. My husband has multiple health issues and he lacks a provider who knows him well enough to oversee and coordinate his care among the various specialists he sees in The Dalles.
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Debbie Laxague, Tygh Valley
In rural communities like ours, health clinics, much like libraries, are a cornerstone of community well-being, enhancing our quality of life by ensuring access to healthcare, education and vital services. This helps individuals to thrive and our communities to stay connected, informed and healthy. Please vote yes for the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic!
- Valerie Stephenson, Maupin
I write in support of the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin, Oregon. Since the creation of the White River Health District in 2001, the Clinic has been a vital community health resource in an otherwise underserved part of the state. Although its capacity to serve was deeply affected by the pandemic and the serious nationwide shortage of primary care clinicians, a group of individuals of varied backgrounds has coalesced—and is growing—with a single-minded, heartfelt goal: returning the clinic to its past capacities and more.
It is my hope resources can be mustered to jump start this growth.
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Roseann Smeraglio, Maupin
​​The health clinic is just as important to us as our schools or the food banks or all the other services that make us strong. For our community to thrive, we MUST care to help our neighbors.
- Dennis Beechler, Tygh Valley
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It might not be needed for you to have a local doctor or dentist, but it might be by your neighbors. It will only cost you at $10 a month. Monies you already were paying all these years. It’s just one less fast-food meal a month 😊 and that’s better for you anyways!
- Mary Beechler, Tygh Valley
My late husband and I were looking forward to a medical clinic in Maupin we could rely on. We did have to stay with doctors in The Dalles and Hood River to ensure more continuous care. I am looking forward to trying out dental care. The clinic is necessary for those who can't go that distance especially for frequent check ups, routine care, or emergencies.
The clinic provides good jobs for the residents, which adds to a better tax base to support our community. It allows young people an opportunity to stay in the community because of those jobs. I am hoping the clinic can grow and will become a stable asset.
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Kathleen Kelsay, Maupin
I am writing to give my whole hearted support for the Deschutes Rim Medical Center. I choose The Deschutes Rim Medical Center because I believe I’m getting better care, faster for my less than emergency driven health issues, and I believe very strongly that rural health options are crucial to the long term health of any community. My recent visit with Dr. Anslinger MD only served to reinforce my belief in, and support for our rural health center. I got a quick appointment and received excellent advice. As a realtor I am often asked how good our medical and dental services are in Maupin, and it is always a delight to be able to assure prospective homeowners (who want to live here full time) that we have a great clinic. Keep up the good work, I really hope the upcoming bond measures passes this time. We need it so very badly.
- Suze Riley, Maupin
I write in support of the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin, Oregon. Since the creation of the White River Health District in 2001, the Clinic has been a vital community health resource in an otherwise underserved part of the state.
Many residents in rural South Wasco County survive on fixed incomes. Access to health care is a challenge especially for our families with small children and our retired population. Lack of a reliable vehicle, fuel, cost and the time taken off work to travel to larger towns all contribute to the difficulties for many residents.
The Deschutes Erim Health Clinic was deeply affected by the pandemic and the serious nationwide shortage of primary care clinicians. Recently, a group of individuals of varies backgrounds has coalesced -and is growing- with a single minded, heartfelt goals; returning the clinic to its past capacities and more.
It is my hope resources can be mustered to jump start this growth.
I will be voting YES in May, as I did on previous ballots. Most importantly, I feel strongly that everyone in our south county should have access to health care. As a retired homeowner with a reliable vehicle, I am able to travel to The Dalles but would much prefer to have local providers and a thriving clinic. My husband has multiple health issues and he lacks a provider who knows him well enough to oversee and coordinate his care among the various specialists he sees in The Dalles.
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Debbie Laxague, Tygh Valley
I am in full support of the White River Health District bond measure. I have seen and experienced positive results when attending the medical and dental facilities at Deschutes Rim Health Clinic.
As a former teacher in South County, it was a much-needed resource for students in need of services. In addition, I feel it is a necessary service senior citizens and other residents in South County need. Especially those who find distance as a barrier. With the passage of the bond, services can be increased.
Please vote yes!
- Sis Lindley, Tygh Valley
VOTE YES!!!
It is critical to understand that a yes vote on our special May election for the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic RENEWS the tax rate we have been paying for years.
We need EVERY VOTE to keep the doors open for our community health center that services all of South Wasco. KEEP OUR DOORS Open! VOTE YES!
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Kathy Peck, Former Maupin City Council Member
I’m voting YES for the clinic because everyone deserves access to quality healthcare right here in our community.
This clinic can provide critical services, reduce emergency room visits, and support healthier lives for all of us.
- Shelby Dumire, Maupin, OR
Access to health care is important to the overall well-being of a community, especially in our rural setting where distances to health services can be considerable. Everybody knows this. And if you don't, sooner or later you will.
In South Wasco County we have a new facility already built, but the revenues from insurance payments, grants and tax support needed to staff it are insufficient. A ballot measure in the upcoming election proposes to raise the current property tax rate for the clinic of $.25 per $100,000 of assessed value to $.50 per $100,000. For a property with an assessed value of $300,000, this means an increase from $75 per year to $150 per year. This increase amounts to just over $6.00 per month.
There are several Health Districts in Oregon, created to address the problem of funding health care in rural areas. We are the ONLY district with a tax rate less than $.50 per $100,000 of assessed value.
We support this important investment in our community.
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Jim and Susan Thompson, Maupin
We have a nice new clinic. It would be a tragedy to have it sit idle. The clinic would minimize Ambulance trips to the Dalles, increase property values and add a selling point to have people move to Maupin, and save unnecessary trips outside SWC for medical services. Most importantly it might save lives having a doctor and clinic in the immediately vicinity and you can't put a price on that.
- Bill Nichols, Maupin
This May, Rich and I will be enthusiastically voting "YES" on the option levy to support the White River Health District. In our rapidly-changing, overstressed society and health care system, locally-controlled and community-based care is more important than ever...and is only going to become more crucial, going forward. So I hope the rest of our neighbors will also vote to invest in our ability as a community to care for ourselves and each other here at home!
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Donna Henderson & Rich Sutliff, Maupin, OR
​Got teeth? If you do, we can help you keep them healthy. If you don’t, we can make you new ones. But we can’t do any of that if we don’t have the dollars to keep the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic open. The mouth is connected to the body and regular dental care is important to keep both in good shape.Your vote for funding will go a long way to assure that all South Wasco County residents have ongoing access to local, quality medical and dental care in the new, modern and beautiful building on the rim. We can’t do it without you. Thank you! - Ron Selis, DMD