On Nov. 3, the voters of Montezuma County will be asked to vote on Ballot Initiative 5A, which is a four-cents-on-every-$10 limited sales tax increase on non-exempt purchases (which includes, but is not limited to food for home consumption, residential gas and electricity, and farm equipment) to directly benefit health care in Montezuma County. Specifically, the increased sales tax revenue will enable Southwest Health System to build a new 20-bed patient wing on the hospital campus with a new birthing center; construct medical office facilities; build an on-campus EMS station; and remodel the emergency room.

In the last few years, SHS has recruited many physicians, health care providers, and visiting specialists to the community and has expanded the health care services it offers.

SHS now needs to upgrade its facilities in order to provide the continuum of care that is currently in place. In addition, new and improved facilities will create efficiencies throughout the health system; the resulting cost savings from currently leased facilities can be used to retire the building debt and be re-invested in health care.

The EMS station will prolong the life of the ambulances, capital equipment and medical supplies, and the ER remodel will more effectively respond to the emergent needs of its patients.

Because the proposed tax increase is a sales tax, it will be paid by everyone purchasing non-exempt goods and services in Montezuma County such as residents of Dolores County, Utah, New Mexico and the many out-of-area tourists it hosts each year. This sales tax increase will end in 15 years.

To keep our health care system vibrant and locally accessible, I urge everyone to vote yes on Ballot Initiative 5A.

Jan Saunders

Cortez