Home About Samaritan Our Organization Sustainable Health Care
Samaritan Health Services was established in 1997 in response to the financial challenges faced by independent hospitals within a rapidly changing health care landscape. Key issues included escalating costs in labor, supplies and infrastructure, as well as inadequate reimbursement for services.
From its inception, Samaritan’s mission and vision have centered on collaboration to serve the entire region effectively.
Since 1997, the complexities of health care delivery have increased, particularly due to stagnant payments from insurance payors – Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurers. These challenges have been compounded at times by record inflation and a rising regulatory burden. (For a comprehensive analysis, see Oregon Hospitals on the Brink, published by the Hospital Association of Oregon.) These financial pressures place significant strain on Samaritan’s capacity to deliver sustainable health care both now and in the future.
Samaritan remains committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care across our service area. Our foundational mission of Building Healthier Communities Together is more vital than ever. It is essential to recall the reasons for Samaritan’s formation over 25 years ago and approach today’s fiscal challenges systemically to ensure continued operational strength in the face of future adversity.
Reliable and sustainable health care is fundamental to a thriving community – not only supporting the health and well-being of all residents but also contributing to the economic stability of the region. We recognize the need to fundamentally rethink how we serve our three-county population of approximately 280,000 residents. This includes improving access to care, recruiting and retaining skilled staff and clinicians, and consistently providing high-quality, financially sustainable care.
Our commitment is to accomplish these objectives together. Collaboration enables Samaritan to offer exceptional health care within our smaller communities. By working together, we will preserve a robust health care system for our region, ensuring service to our patients and community for generations to come.
Samaritans are collaborating to proactively shape a sustainable and viable future for health care in our community.
The primary objectives of this initiative include:
Interdisciplinary teams consisting of clinicians, leaders, and analysts have been established to adopt a system-wide perspective. These teams are encouraged to remain open-minded and adaptable, to embody Samaritan’s PRIDE values – Passion, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence – and to foster trust and transparency throughout this process.
No decisions have been made regarding services within our community as we review our current care delivery methods and explore opportunities for more effective and sustainable health care models. Although this work is recognized as urgent, there is no predetermined timeline; our approach prioritizes purposefulness and thoughtful evaluation, including actively seeking and considering feedback from members of the community.
For questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact us at [email protected].
