I was interviewed for the article on healthcare costs that was published on June 5, and have a few concerns. Many of the questions I was asked seemed based on an impression that private-pay patients are “footing the bill” or “on the hook” or “forced to pay extra” for healthcare. These were not my words and yet they were attributed to me in the article. I regret that I did not address that underlying assumption directly at the time of the interview.

I appreciate The Leader taking an interest in reporting on healthcare and what it costs. Our U.S. healthcare system with multiple insurance carriers and plans makes it time consuming for staff to do billing and hard for patients to understand their benefits. Our staff does a remarkable job of providing a wide variety of exceptional services in a small rural county while keeping Jefferson Healthcare financially strong and independent.

KEES KOLFF
Public Hospital District Commissioner
PORT TOWNSEND