I fell in love with Yavapai County from the moment I arrived to open my medical practice in 2006.

Friendly people, natural beauty, a five-minute commute… sounds familiar?

Years later, when the opportunity arose to return to my hometown of California, I just couldn’t leave. I joined his Dignity Health-Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) building an employee physician group and transitioned to leadership in 2014.

Almost every week, I run into former patients in hospitals and on the streets. A constant reminder that I made the right decision to stay.

Over the past few weeks, I have been concerned about these patients due to the controversy surrounding the YRMC’s negotiations with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ). Unfortunately, BCBSAZ is reluctant to agree to a new contract that puts patients and our community first. As a result, YRMC and he BCBSAZ were unable to reach a mutual agreement and YRMC was no longer considered part of her BCBSAZ network.

This disappointing result created a lot of malice in the community, some of which was fueled by misinformation.

I am a doctor, not a politician. I feel compelled to speak up as I am concerned that the controversy has damaged his YRMC reputation in the community. After all, this is my community and YRMC’s community since he was established as Yavapai County’s sole health care provider about 80 years ago.

When I run into my former patients, I can look them in the eye and tell them the facts.

• The claim that YRMC sought double-digit rate increases is false. Through negotiations, YRMC’s proposed price increase was in the single digits, below Arizona’s medical inflation rate.
• The proposed rate hike was not corporate greed. At a time when non-profit hospitals across the country are in financial trouble, retain and recruit doctors and other caregivers, invest in new technology so patients can receive quality care closer to home, We need responsible agreements that enable access to care. more convenient.
• The proposals presented by BCBSAZ jeopardize our ability to continue to provide all healthcare services.

It’s a difficult time in the healthcare industry, especially in rural areas. We cannot maintain a high level of care unless we take financial responsibility. However, the controversy surrounding the negotiations has created a false narrative that YRMC is more focused on finance than community. Our record is not:

• In January, YRMC provided approximately $320,000 in community grants used to improve community health and well-being.
• YRMC’s Family Resource Center helps participating families become more independent and increase college enrollment and training rates. Ongoing data provided to Healthy Families Arizona show that her child’s access to health care has improved, including a 70% reduction in her pregnancy complications and a decrease in her child’s behavioral and developmental problems. is showing.
• More than $200,000 was recently raised for the Breast Care Program at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center to provide services, including screening, for women who cannot afford mammograms.

When I joined Yavapai Regional Medical Center many years ago, I was dedicated to improving the health care of my fellow Yavapai County residents. The termination of our contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has not changed that commitment.

We will continue to provide high-quality medical services that are trusted by the local community.

Anthony Torres, MD is President and CEO of Dignity Health-YRMC and YRMG.