Metro staff has completed its four-month query into whether the regional body that oversees planning, recycling and the Oregon Zoo might have a role in addressing the Portland area's health care needs. The consensus among those interviewed was -- no consensus.
Metro staff interviewed area hospital administrators, union leaders and local government officials, among others. Interviewees vocalized a few common flaws with the current health care system, but couldn't seem to agree on how Metro might address them.
Council President David Bragdon doesn't see Metro pursuing the issue any further.
"My opinion is we are busy trying to accomplish our existing responsibilities. We don't have the staff, expertise, budget or authority to be inserting ourselves into the health care field," he said. "I just can't foresee allocating staff resources to getting involved in things we aren't responsible for."
Indeed, many were puzzled when the council voted unanimously to examine the issue last April. Councilor Carl Hosticka proposed the resolution, saying rising health care costs warrant a regional response. Hosticka could not be reached for comment.
Service Employees International Union Local 49 lobbied Metro to create a public process for siting health care facilities, finding fault with the current state system that regulates the opening of new hospitals, but not expansions.
The scoping report lays out four courses of action for the Metro Council to consider, including forming a task force to develop a regional health care plan.
Bragdon, though, hasn't scheduled any further action on the matter.
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