MACHIAS – Down East Community Hospital representatives will address the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s Eggs and Issues breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5.

Lois Macias, DECH chief operating officer, and Carolyn Foster, past president of the DECH board of trustees and a current board member, will solicit opinions and answer questions about the proposal to change the designation of the hospital to a critical access facility.

The change, which includes reducing the number of beds at the hospital, could affect the nature and delivery of care at DECH.

Macias and Foster will discuss decisions now facing the Machias Bay Area as a result of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. One of the cost-savings measures of the congressional act was a smaller increase in Medicare payments to hospitals.

Congress provided a safety net for rural communities in remote areas by permitting individual states to designate “Critical Access Hospitals.” The designation would result in higher Medicare payments to DECH.

The breakfast meeting will take place at the Blue Bird Ranch Restaurant in Machias. A $6 registration fee covers the cost of a buffet breakfast. The public is invited to attend.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Kathy Sparaga of Machias Dental Care at 255-8601.