Dear Editor:

What if you aren’t in town on December 19 or you missed the hearing on the Certificate of Need? Of course, if you are on the Boothbay peninsula on Thursday, Dec. 19, and you care about the future of your health and that of your family and friends, you’ll be coming to the public hearing about St. Andrews Hospital at the Boothbay Harbor Town Office between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

But, what if you’re out of town because you’re a seasonal resident, or you’re away for the holidays, or you have to work all day? In that case, you can still participate. And you have until January 22. But don’t delay! There are two easy ways to be heard:

1. Write down your thoughts, your story about why the formation of Lincoln County Healthcare in 2008 resulted in worse local healthcare for you or others, and/or your story about why the more recent closure of the St. Andrews ER, and removal of the hospital beds on October 1 has damaged the quality and accessibility of care. Then before January 22, either email those thoughts to: larry.carbonneau@maine.gov or mail them to: DHHS, Licensing and Regulatory Services, Certificate of Need Unit, Station House Station # 11, 41 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04333-0011

2. Call me and tell me your thoughts over the phone. For many people, making a phone call is a lot easier than writing something out. I’ll listen to your thoughts, and then I’ll write them down for you and send them to you to be sure I captured what you wanted to say. Then, either I can send them in on your behalf, or you can do it yourself. You can reach me at 617-686-9786.

Remember, we may not be able to get our hospital back, but, with your help, we can get more skilled nursing beds on our peninsula, longer urgent care hours, better coordination of care, and more affordable emergency transportation.

Patty Seybold

Boothbay