Sitka hospital’s proposed budget eliminates births, reduces surgery

Sitka Community Hospital CFO Cynthia Brandt, left, and physician Charles Rozelle discuss the decision to scale back surgery — and eliminate childbirths — with CEO Rob Allen and board member Dr. David Lam. Brandt described some unexpected pressure on the hospital’s razor-thin budget: Medicare may want up to $1.2 million in a payback next year. (Photo by Robert Woolsey/KCAW)
The Sitka Hospital Board has prepared a budget for next year that cuts back surgical coverage to half-time