Dr. Paul John Calcricaraq Project, Bethel

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) is responsible for the health and wellbeing of some 30,000 Alaska Natives from 58 communities, each a federally recognized tribe, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and upriver. In addition to its flagship hospital in Bethel, YKHC owns and operates 41 small village clinics and five larger sub-regional mid-level clinics.

Healthcare needs have grown exponentially over the years. In 1990, YKHC had 220 employees with a $6 million yearly payroll with 50,000 annual patient visits. In 2016, there were 1,300 employees with a $75 million yearly payroll with 240,000 annual patient visits. In order to meet these increasing needs, YKHC signed an agreement with the Indian Health Service that would help fund up to 400 new jobs.

The IHS Joint Venture Construction Program offered an opportunity for YKHC to grow both as a facility and as a care provider. IHS would increase funding to meet staffing and operation costs for implementing a patient-centered integrated model of care in a new facility financed and built by the tribal entity, consisting of:

• construction of a new 180,000 sq. ft. primary care clinic in Bethel

• major renovation of the 90,000 sq. ft. 1985 Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital

• upgrading 30,000 sq. ft. of office space

• construction of a 54–unit staff housing complex.

There are several finance partners in the $316 million project including:

• YKHC (equity) - $17.96 million

• Project fund Interest Income - $4.73 million

• Equipment Lease Financings - $21.80 million

• Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority (bonds) - $110.45 million

• AIDEA (loan anticipation notes) - $161,975,000 million

• USDA Rural Development (loan) - $165.00 million (this loan takes out the AIDEA LAN once construction is complete)