The two health networks potentially interested in establishing a clinic at Sunrise Ridge are slated to meet with clinic providers this Friday, while the public meeting scheduled for that evening has been cancelled. Meanwhile, efforts remain underway to secure interim medical services for the island should they be necessary.

Two health care networks — both non-profit, community health care providers — recently became possibilities for operating the clinic after Dr. Gary Koch, who is the medical director there, reached out to one group, and Sen. Sharon Nelson and Rep. Eileen Cody brought the other group into the conversation. Leaders of both networks will tour the Sunrise Ridge clinic on Friday and meet with providers, as well as with representatives from Sunrise Ridge Health Services — the landlords of the facility — and the Vashon-Maury Health Collaborative.

Because of the recent developments and the timing involved, Tim Johnson, a member of the collaborative, which had originally called the public meeting, said they determined it would be best to cancel it.

“We are trying to give Dr. Koch space to work through this opportunity, and he is working with two groups that day. We feel it would be premature to hold a meeting that evening,” he said.

With the future of island health care still unclear, last week 12 members of the Vashon Social Services Network (VSSN) — comprised of leaders of Vashon’s social service agencies — signed a joint letter to Seattle-King County Public Health and sent it to the director as well as county and state officials. The letter requested that the county provide an interim health care solution “in the likely event of a gap in care,” and work with members of the social services network to establish an interim plan. This effort was organized by the new executive director of Sunrise Ridge Health Services, Carolyn Anderson, who worked with members of the group early in the week and sent the letter on Friday.

The letter reads, in part, “We anticipate that islanders, including our high concentration of summer residents, may assume that a health center is still in operation at Sunrise Ridge and attempt to seek emergency care at a closed clinic with potentially disastrous results. We, the undersigned members of the VSSN are concerned at a perceived lack of coordination and concrete solutions in place to address this crisis that we feel could potentially lead to loss of life.”

The letter also notes that while other islanders have reached out to county officials, the social service leaders felt it was important to add their voices “to the outreach efforts on behalf of the safety of our most vulnerable citizens, who will be most affected by the clinic closure.” They also indicated that Vashon’s demographics include nearly 60 percent of residents who pay more than 30 percent of their household income on rent and a high percentage of middle-aged and older residents, which increases the island’s need for health care services. Moreover, they add that going off-island for medical services is both time-consuming and costly because of the dependence on ferries, creating further obstacles to care. The letter writers suggest that possibly one of King County’s mobile health vans could come to Vashon or that public health doctors or nurses could serve Vashon on a regular basis.

Replying to a press inquiry about the letter on Friday, a public health spokesperson directed questions to County Executive Dow Constantine’s office, where the communications director said that office would respond this week after having had a chance to review it.

Emma Amiad, a longtime leader of the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness, was one of those who signed the letter. She said that while it is not clear yet what the best long-term solution is for the island — and people may disagree on what should be established going forward — interim services are extremely important.

“What the letter reflects is we need at least a short-term solution that would be a stop gap for the most vulnerable folks. We have got six weeks or less to come up with an alternative,” she said. “What anyone wants to see ultimately is beside the point. We need to deal with our immediate lack of community care.”

Lee Kopines, the executive director of Seed 4 Success, which serves islanders with disabilities, is also among those who signed on, saying she is nervous about what may soon transpire when the clinic closes Aug. 5. Many of that agency’s clients see providers at the Franciscan clinic and have difficulty using Metro transportation. Several work part or full time, she added, and the time involved in getting care off island will be an obstacle all on its own.

“To lose a whole day for a 20-minute appointment it is going to be a nightmare,” she said.

Most of the agency’s clients receive Medicaid or Medicare benefits and have low incomes. Last year, she said, Seeds 4 Success paid out more than $2,000 for ferry tickets and expenses related to medical needs for clients, and she believes the need will increase sharply if a solution is not found.

“It is not going to be a good thing,” she said. “The county at this moment in time really has to help us.”

Kathleen Johnson, the executive director of Vashon Youth & Family Services, signed the letter as well, although she indicated she is not optimistic about what the county will be able to provide, as officials have said they do not have the resources to help in this situation. Still, she added, she stands behind the letter.

“I support the effort of enlarging the people at the table asking the county for help,” she said. “If we keep asking, maybe one of the requests will fit with what the county is able to provide.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Peterson, a board member of Sunrise Ridge Health Services, said he has been in contact with the Franciscans, who hold a lease on the clinic building until February. He said they have had preliminary talks about the equipment there, but that talks about the equipment and the lease will begin in earnest if and when an agreement with a new provider is reached.

Finally, talk about the possible creation of a hospital district to help fund island health care has stalled for now, but it may resume. Some of those close to the situation say they are waiting to see what develops from the meetings this week, while others have stressed they are focused on the short term. However, interest in establishing a hospital district is coming not just from addressing primary care needs, but from the Vashon Community Care Foundation.

Truman O’Brien heads the foundation and said recently that he contacted members of the health collaborative last fall to discuss the idea, indicating he believes a hospital district is needed to support a health center and the care center. He contacted some members of the hospital district effort in 2008, which was formed to support both the clinic at Sunrise Ridge and the Vashon Community Care. His initial hopes this time, he said, were to have a measure on the ballot this November, but that will not happen. He said that timing is too soon as he wants to put a solid plan before the voters, and like many others, he is waiting to see what unfolds with the two potential providers coming to the island this week.

“We are standing down to let them figure it out,” he said.