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The Memorial Hospital Board voted unanimously to extend its charity care coverage during its meeting Wednesday.

Samantha Johnston, The Memorial Hospital service excellence officer, said the old coverage limited who received discounted care.

"We looked at the charity care policy, and changed one thing," Johnston said. "In the old policy, it said charity care would apply for Colorado residents or registered migrant workers.

"We just crossed that line out."

The policy was extended to anyone within the hospital's coverage area.

Charity care is a reduced cost for hospital service based on income guidelines.

Johnston said charity care is used for non-emergency care.

"TMH would never deny anyone emergency medical care - regardless of their ability to pay," she said. "Normally, someone using charity care would call in ahead and set up an appointment."

The coverage was extended to allow non-residents access to care.

"What if someone is driving through Craig and they need hospital services?" Johnston said. "We wouldn't deny them services."

The hospital board also accepted a bid from Ellis Plumbing & Heating LLC of Craig to install new air conditioning units in the MRI building.

Ellis Plumbing & Heating submitted the lowest bid, at $6,700, to repair the faulty air conditioning units.

The equipment in the MRI building needs to be kept cool, Johnston said.

"The MRI equipment needs to be kept cool year-round," she said. "If they're not kept cold, there would be catastrophic malfunctions."

Ellis Plumbing & Heating will supply and install two new four-ton 460-volt condensing units and remove all the old equipment.

Johnston said TMH staff would assist in installing the units.

The condensing unit installation would take three to four weeks.

The board also unanimously accepted the 2008 audit, which was performed by Stockman, Cast, Ryan & Co., of Colorado Springs.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 875-1795 or bbulkeley@craigdailypress.com