A week ago, we attended the open house for the new MercyOne clinic at the old Herberger’s site. It was so impressive and well thought out. It will be very convenient for both patients and staff.

I have heard questions about why we need to raise money for our new health care facility. The goals of the SOH (Save Our Healthcare) movement have always been to restore health care services that have been lost, to reduce the cost of those services and to establish some control over those services. We in SOH believe that the best way to maintain control is to own the building where health care services are provided and then lease the building to the provider and work in partnership with them. This is the plan that has been worked out with Mercy One, and that is why money needs to be raised.

I have also heard concerns about how the plan does not call for the restoration of a full-service, acute-care hospital.  Our mission is going to be a long process, but our goals have not changed. After the five phases of the plan are in effect, the next step will be to provide in-patient care at the new location where those services we have lost will be restored.

Please look for mailings to be sent before Thanksgiving, and respond with a contribution and/or a pledge to the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition. Think of giving in memory of loved ones or in honor of loved ones. Contributions are tax deductible for the current year if received before Dec. 29. All contributions will be used exclusively for the purchase and upgrading of the Herberger’s site.

I would like to personally thank all of those who have worked so hard for this movement. All are volunteers who have contributed many hours and a lot of energy in this effort. Our group has morphed from Save Our Hospital to Save Our Healthcare, and now the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition. Please consider our group in your end-of-the-year giving. We need your help.

Jean Skaar

Albert Lea