Concerned residents, county commissioners and hospital officials engaged in a lengthy discussion on Monday, June 15, about the financial health and future of Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH), highlighting both community support for the facility and growing questions about its long-term sustainability.
The discussion occurred during the Greenwood County Commission’s meeting, when the GWCH Board of Trustees appeared before commissioners at their request. Commission Chairman Preston Evenson opened the conversation by emphasizing that preserving local healthcare remains a priority. “I think everyone is on the same boat,” Evenson said. “No one wants to lose the hospital.”
Commissioner Judd Everitt reported receiving frequent calls and questions from residents about the hospital’s future, prompting Monday’s public discussion.
Hospital Board Chairman Cinda Beals told attendees that the board regularly reviews financial information and discusses the hospital’s performance at each meeting.
Several community members voiced concerns over continuing operating losses and sought greater transparency regarding the hospital’s financial outlook. Mike Pitko questioned reported losses averaging more than $3 million annually while noting that public funding continues to support the facility. He also raised concerns about low inpatient numbers and questioned how hospital leadership plans to address ongoing financial challenges.
Questions were also raised about the hospital’s proposed 2027 budget and whether revenue from physician clinics was being clearly presented. Beals responded that the budget remains preliminary and will continue to be reviewed and refined by trustees.
The discussion also highlighted the hospital’s importance to residents who rely on local healthcare services.
Miranda Colangelo, a county resident whose mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, spoke emotionally about the impact a hospital closure would have on families. “We use the hospital weekly,” she said. “If the hospital closes, she can’t stay here. We will have to move her.” While acknowledging financial concerns, she urged officials to consider the needs of residents who depend on nearby medical care.
Frank McCollum argued that the hospital must take a harder look at reducing costs and restructuring operations. “When you’re losing money, you have to cut costs,” McCollum said. “We just can’t keep doing the same thing.”
GWCH CEO Sandra Dickerson explained that rural hospital finances dif f er signi f icant ly from traditional businesses because of Medicare’s cost-based reimbursement system. According to Dickerson, reducing expenses does not necessarily create immediate savings because reimbursement rates are calculated using previous cost reports and can take more than a year to reflect operational changes. She noted that the hospital has continued meeting payroll obligations and paying bills without drawing from board reserve funds since February.
Dickerson attributed a significant portion of recent revenue declines to changes within the hospital’s wound care program. After a provider left the organization, several patients followed that provider to a new practice, resulting in a substantial reduction in wound care revenue. She said the hospital generated approximately $7 million less in wound care revenue during a recent reporting period compared to previous years.
Hospital officials also pointed to declining local sales tax collections, which affect hospital funding. Dickerson encouraged residents to support local businesses, noting that increased local spending benefits county/ city revenues and hospital finances.
Commissioner Roy Ballard asked whether trustees regularly evaluate the profitability and performance of individual departments and whether those reports could be made available to the commission.
Hospital officials acknowledged that some departments, particularly emergency services, operate at a loss due in part to caring for uninsured and underinsured patients. However, they stressed that emergency care remains a critical service for the community.
Despite financial challenges, commissioners noted that they rarely hear complaints about patient care. “On a good note, I have never heard a negative report on care at the hospital,” Ballard said.
Dickerson also reviewed historical financial data, noting that the hospital has reported positive net income in only seven of the past 26 years, demonstrating that financial struggles are not a recent development.
The di s c u s s i o n included references to federal COVID-19 relief funding, reimbursement structures, staffing levels and the challenges facing rural healthcare facilities across Kansas. The hospital board of trustees and staff noted they continue to evaluate operations, monitor finances and pursue strategies to improve the hospital’s financial position while preserving services.
The commissioners expressed appreciation to the GWCH board of trustees for serving in their roles and for attending the meeting.
Other Business
Tamara Higbee of Severy addressed commissioners about speed limit signs being added along Old Highway 99/S Road. She noted that additional residential properties have created a need for a lower speed limit. Discussion was also held regarding a small roadway behind a former coffee shop/now a residence at the corner. The commission planned to take the matter under advisement; however, no action was taken.
Dana Hunter, who frequently visits Fall River Lake, asked commissioners to reconsider restrictions on the bridge connecting the lake’s east and west dam areas. Although not a Greenwood County resident, Hunter said she regularly stays at the lake and spends money locally. She presented historical information pertaining to the bridge, but was ultimately asking the commission to open the bridge for pedestrians and small vehicles that fall below the bridge’s threeton weight limit.
She argued that reopening limited access would improve recreation opportunities and reduce travel times for visitors and emergency responders.
The bridge was closed in April 2025, following engineering assessments that identified severe structural deficiencies, as well as the Kansas Department Of Transportation (KDOT) requiring the closure due to the bridge condition. Commissioner Ballard emphasized the seriousness of the structural concerns. “It is a single-pin bridge,” Ballard said. “One pin breaks and the whole thing collapses.” Ballard also cited the county’s potential liability should an accident occur. It was noted that both the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended the bridge be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, due to safety concerns.
No action was taken. The commission spent considerable time discussing a proposed vegetation management agreement with KDOT. Noxious Weed Director Debi Selfrige discussed the proposed contract with the commission that would have allowed county crews to perform roadside spraying along state highways. The proposal involved approximately 120 miles of roadway, with some locations requiring multiple applications due to terrain, fencing and weed growth patterns. Commissioner Evenson questioned whether the additional workload would be worthwhile given existing county responsibilities. “It isn’t worth it to me,” Evenson said. “I think we have too much work on our own.” After discussion, commissioners voted against entering into the agreement and directed county staff to continue focusing on county roadway spraying operations.
County officials also heard preliminary budget presentations from several departments and organizations. This week, the commission heard from the Greenwood County Conservation District, Keila Sherman; Greenwood County Fire District, Chief Glen Collinge; Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Heath Samuels; Noxious Weed/Hazardous Waste, Director Selfrige; Greenwood County Extension District, Jamie Lindamood, and Agents Alisha Fisher and Clinton Laflin; Greenwood County 4-H Foundation, Agent Fisher.
Ron Rader and Kevin Hammerski addressed the commission regarding a road close petition at M Road, between 30th and 40th Streets. Later in the meeting, the commissioners held a 10-minute executive session for legal matters regarding a road with County Counselor Paul Dean. After returning to open session, the commission rejected the road close petition and to leave the road open as previously directed.
Emergency Manager Levi Vinson noted that work near Madison involving a Phillips 66 pipeline. Contractors plan to stabilize an eroding stream bank, remove sediment and address an exposed section of pipeline that has contributed to erosion concerns.
Vinson then shared revised pay scales. A copy of the proposed pay scales can be found on page 12. Vinson, along with Commissioners Evenson and Everitt, will hold a work session to review the tiered system.
The commissioners approved the special payables for June 8, totaling $3,466.19, as presented.
The Greenwood County Commission meets each Monday at 9 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 22.
