Coeur D'Alene – The lack of affordable housing and childcare has proven to be a major barrier for people in the healthcare industry in Coeur D'Alene Economic Development Corporation, and was a central topic of discussion at the annual meeting of Coeur D'Alene Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday.
About 400 CEOs of Kootenai Health, Heritage Health and Northwest Specialist Hospital heard about both the challenges and success of the local healthcare industry during a panel discussion at the Kool d'Alene Resort.
Northwest Specialty CEO Rick Rasmussen said local health providers are losing essential workers as they can't afford local housing and childcare.
“People leave every day,” Rasmussen said.
According to the CDAEDC annual report, “Housing in the $350,000 to $400,000 range is essential to attract and retain important workers, such as teachers, nurses, first responders and many others.”
However, the median detached home prices for Kootenai County in March were nearly $550,000, according to Coeur D'Alene Regional Realtors.
Rasmussen said housing projects like Britton's Miracle have helped to retain nurses and other healthcare workers in Northern Idaho.
“They can stay here and now forever,” Rasmussen said.
Russell Baker of the University of Idaho cited statistics showing a major doctor shortage in all counties in the state.
“The only way we can continue to grow and flourish here is whether we can see people living here and aging here,” Baker said.
The CEO agreed that partnerships with North Idaho College, Kootenai Technical Educational Campus and other educational institutions are invaluable to ensure strong healthcare workers in the region.
“They were developed because they ask what we need,” said Mike Baker, CEO of Heritage Health.
Kootenai Health CEO Jamie Smith praised the work that all three providers have done in the area. He quoted women's health services, advances in behavioral health, and said it would quickly connect people in need of care.
“The level of service we provide is mostly equivalent to a large medical center in the country,” Smith said.
