In January, for example, a two-week contract dispute between the only hospital in the remote community of Crescent City and the town's primary insurance carrier left residents temporarily in a bind. Frightened at the prospect of paying higher costs for a hospital stay in town or driving at least 80 miles to reach a fully covered provider, some residents postponed surgeries. Others are reducing services. Donald has helped garner a grant for a new air-conditioner and recently received a bequest for a new roof. Lone Pine residents grow wistful, too, as they remember the days when babies were born at the hospital and surgeries could be performed there.
Some people say let's close it.
Cable company operator Bruce Branson said he broke his shoulder and suffered hypothermia and facial cuts in January after sliding hundreds of feet down a local peak. I think we all recognize that now.