Having lived in Iola for 10 months, voting “YES” on a quarter-cent sales tax increase for a new hospital is a no-brainer.
A new hospital would mean the doctors, nurses and staff at Allen County Hospital would be able to better meet the healthcare needs of the community — because they would have more space, designated areas for outpatient work, and the ability to upgrade to newer medical equipment.
In addition, a new hospital would help ACH in recruiting new medical personnel so they can continue to provide quality service, which, in turn, means a better quality of life for all the residents of Allen County. Not to mention, a new hospital will be more energy efficient, and therefore more cost effective.
The sales tax asks for so little from each of us — 25 cents for each $100 spent on things like groceries. And in return, we’ll improve healthcare in the community. This seems like a ridiculously good bargain.
As a young, healthy person with no intention of needing hospital services from ACH anytime soon, I’m voting “YES” on Nov. 2 because to do otherwise is to neglect the needs of all Allen County residents.
Holly Slawkowski
Iola, Kan.
