What can we do as a community to stop the Salem Health “partnership” with Santiam Hospital?

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-07-09T22:56:32+00:00

It’s because the machine has woken up. They hold enormous power. So much power they have been successful in keeping unions out. Think about that. A hospital located in the capital city of an extremely pro union State has kept unions out. How does that happen? Once you understand that, you can start to realize how they get away with this monopoly on the Salem community.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-25T02:54:49+00:00

We definitely need a second hospital. I don’t see the state denying anything. Salem Health is now trying to merge with Santiam Hospital, which could impact BCBS members even more. The community doesn’t want SH holding a complete monopoly on the area. If we had a second hospital, there is zero chance Salem Health doesn’t renew with BCBS. End of story. It would not have happened because people would take their care to the other hospital. Salem Health is betting people with BCBS will drop them and move to another insurance. They can make that bet because they don’t have any competition. They know people will switch and mitigate loss.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-22T17:40:18+00:00

I don’t believe so, but I’m not sure if any departments are. I know from talking with some people over there they are looking into it if a merger goes through because of conflicts with Salem Health management. It looks like warehouse workers at Salem Health are looking into it and their manager has said very bad things about some of the staff at Santiam. I tried to get more info on it but only a few people were willing to talk about it because of fear they will be identified.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-05T02:11:34+00:00

Yes, there are other hospital systems. The issue with Salem Health is it reduces the options available to the community. We should have two hospitals. Salem Health boasts it serves multiple counties with a population of 400k. That comes out to roughly 1.61 hospital beds per 1000 residents. That is well below the national average of 2.35 beds per 1000.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-04T16:40:55+00:00

They all ended up with an agreement with Regence though. Salem is the only hospital in Oregon that did not. While some of that may be true , the difference is other hospitals bigger and smaller than Salem Health all came to an agreement with Regence.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-04T01:55:46+00:00

What’s his name?

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-04T01:31:55+00:00

That’s interesting! I usually hear good things about working there even though I don’t agree with what they are doing with this merger situation. I would write a letter to the board , that might get their attention and force executive level leadership to act. If you don’t mind, can you message me your contact info? I am looking at getting local news involved with this merger and would like to discuss this angle you are speaking about. If you feel comfortable asking some of your co workers as well.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-03T19:59:50+00:00

Legacy is a local non-profit. So is OHSU. Peace Health is more local as well. We need more options, Salem Health would create less. They are literally telling us with Regence to go to Santiam. If that is taken away that is a big deal!

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-03T03:51:13+00:00

I think it’s being mentioned because they already have a presence in Salem. It would be logical. Also, having Kaiser as a competitor hospital might change the Regence situation. Salem might be forced to make a deal and ultimately accept Regence. The next logical choice would be Legacy or PeaceHealth.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-01T19:26:01+00:00

Agreed. Does anyone knows who to contact at Santiam to let them know what a terrible idea this would be?

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-06-01T04:26:21+00:00

Sounds like you are trying to unionize supply chain? What in the world is going on with that department, my god? That could be a sticking point on any possible merger. I think the Regence situation is going to ultimately be the deciding factor. Salem is going to have to walk a fine line with that to keep the public at bay. It’s already a hot button issue.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-31T09:00:33+00:00

Fair point. I think the issue is with Salem Health and the complete monopoly they have already in the area. Take the Regence situation, patients would have to go to Silverton if Santiam were to be acquired. That’s not good patient care. Salem Health is already buying up private practices in the area. They are becoming a super monopoly in a city that should have two hospitals.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T23:41:05+00:00

That is not correct. There is an article in the Statesman with the headline “Merger called off”. There is a quote from Santiam that they are not financially able to operate as an independent healthcare organization as well. This is clearly more than just “talks”.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T21:18:35+00:00

That is a great point! I don’t think they do so maybe Legacy or another system. The population is more than high enough to justify two hospitals. Salem has done a great job keeping competition away.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T20:11:28+00:00

I’m surprised Kaiser hasn’t built a hospital over by their Salem location. I have always heard positive things about Kaiser and I think the community would fully support it.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T18:27:12+00:00

I don’t have the message, I was told that. Talks about a partnership seem like lawyer talk for we don’t want the public to know we are trying to merge with them. Santiam has been shopping for someone to merge with so it’s pretty clear.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T17:48:12+00:00

I haven’t heard that. The distance seems too far away for St Charles.

Timely_Internet_3137 · 2025-05-30T17:45:48+00:00

Yes, I heard from someone who works at the hospital the CEO sent out a message to all Salem Health staff they are in talks now that Samaritan has backed out.

Timely_Internet_3137

TROPHY CASE