Oregon Public Broadcasting

Columbia County residents are invited to weigh in on a plan for a new hospital. April Baer reports.

Columbia County's home to nearly 50,000 people, all of whom have to drive to Portland, or Longview, Washington to get major medical needs met.

Five years ago, the county's voters approved a tax to fund the construction of a new hospital. It'll be built off highway 30, close to St. Helens. 

Jana Fussell works for the state department that certifies hospitals for communities in need.

Jana Fussell  "We allot time to the applicant to explain their proposal and provide information, and time for the affected parties to speak, and then we take public testimony."

The hearing was scheduled after an August event drew too many speakers to accommodate.

The hospital will be publicly-run. Legacy Health system, which already operates two adjacent clinics in the county, will contract for some administrative services.