Committee discusses possible Samaritan clinic closure, considers letter urging service retention

Committee members raised concern about reports that Samaritan may close or reduce services at the Gerard Birth Center/clinic and discussed steps the city and committee might take to urge Samaritan to maintain services.

A committee member who placed the item on the agenda said city manager Ogden had been in touch with Councilor Michelle Steinhaebel in Lebanon and that the city was "in talks of maybe doing something publicly to take a stand" asking Samaritan to maintain services. The member added that timing and an official closure decision remained unclear.

Wanda and other committee members said they had received many community calls after initial news reports and supported drafting a letter that would describe the effects of a service loss on Sweet Home and surrounding areas. One committee member said, "I would support that sort of direction." Another participant cautioned that Samaritan had said no decision had been made and that the organization intended to seek community input before deciding.

Committee members discussed inviting Samaritan leadership to a public meeting and reaching out to local Lebanon Hospital Foundation members to provide community feedback. The committee did not vote on any resolution; members agreed to coordinate with city staff and to inform the committee if Samaritan schedules community engagement or makes a decision.