Put "Caring" back into Health Care.

By Marcelo R. Rivera

Financial pressures can create an atmosphere uncertainty which could negatively impact patient services. We need people with experience and a committment to patient care during these uncertain financial times.

As a physician, who has lived and worked in our community, I will be able to lend valuable input into these decisions. I have lived in Ramona for twenty years, and I have provided health care services in Ramona, Poway and Rancho Bernardo for most of this time. I served as Chief of Staff at Pomerado Hospital from 1992-1994 and have been involved in various Hospital leadership postions for these past twenty years. This last year I was instrumental in guiding a $250,000 private donation from a local family to the Palomar-Pomerado Health Foundation. This generous donation went to expanding the emergency room services at Pomerado Hospital. Further, I have been a staunch advocate of attracting and keeping outstanding nursing services in the Palomar-Pomerado Health System (PPHS).

We cannot allow the "Managed Care Insurance Industry" to threaten the existance of a Public Hospital District. The health care services provided by PPHS in the Inland Norh County cannot be allowed to be diminished in any way. We must make sure that everyone in our community has access to affordable, high quality health care provided with compassion and expertise in an environment of dignity and privacy.

The community which is served by PPHS is fortunate to have highly qualified professionals serving them. Many of the physicians staffing both Hospitals are Board Certified in their respective fields. These Physicians are well prepared and committed to serving their patients, We must make sure we maintain and attract a high quality medical staff.

Palomar and Pomerado Hospitals are outstanding hospitals where the primary focus is the patient. Quality management and patient satisfactions are of primary concern and the nursing staff along with all the support staff providing ancillary services are highly dedicated professionals committed to excellent patient care. We also have a model Hospice and Home Care Program.

All these successes cannot be threatened by an Insurance Industry that is focused on profits for their executives and share holders. The "mantra" of the business world: "the market forces will take care of things" cannot be allowed to replace the reason for the existance of a Health Care System. All involved in health care should be involved for the purpose of providing service and advocating for the patient. Without the true focus on the patient, we will have lost our moral compass. Under no circumstance should we allow the impact of the "Managed Care Industry" change this focus.