MISSION STATEMENT of
NORTHERN COUNTIES HEALTH CARE, INC.

We believe that quality health care is a basic human right which must be accessible and affordable. We believe that programs must be coordinated with other human services and planned so that care is continuous throughout the system of health care and is provided in the most cost-effective way possible.

In carrying out our beliefs, we will provide preventative, primary care, home-based, and hospice services. It is our intention to treat people at all times with respect and dignity, and primary emphasis placed on communication, education, and confidentiality. We are dedicated to the following principles:

• Our focus is on the whole person, the family, and the community in which they live. In providing services, we seek to avoid fragmented, duplicated or preferential treatment, for individuals or families.

• Individuals and families have an essential right to participate in planning and decision-making regarding their health care, and to maintain independence within the confines of safe medical practice.

• Health education and guidance are an integral part of all our programs because it is our goal to assist people in being well informed about healthy living in times of good health, as well as times of illness.

• Community involvement in program planning and governance, by those who use our services, is vital to the development and operation of the health system.

• Service delivery should be determined by the individual need, not by an individual's ability to pay for a service, and will be limited only by program eligibility requirements and resource availability.

• An environment that fosters the well being, development, and excellence of staff is essential to the continued provision of high quality, personalized care.

Approved by Board Vote on January 27, 1992
Reaffirmed by Board Vote on May 24, 1994
Revised by Board Vote on March 12, 1997
Reaffirmed by Board Vote on January 28, 2002