Do Not Mix Politics and Healthcare. Just Fix the Problems

By Bruce G. Krider

Focus on Patients and Healthcare Services. Politics have no place in caring for people. Minimize healthcare fraud and use the funds to restructure healthcare to care for the population. Bring healthcare vendors of products and services into the loop by letting them share in the reductions of healthcare financial cuts.

2. Healthcare is expensive because of the constant technology required, because of the financial impact of so many requirements to comply with and the expense of research and the most costly equipment of most any industry. Because politicians see a great deal of money flowing into this sector, it is a popular place for politicians to raid and they don't truly know what they are tinkering with or the unintended consequences that result.

3. Managed care organizations such as HMOs who have a direct financial stake in the delivery of healthcare services must be closely watched for erring on the side of their pocketbooks when costly care is being considered. One may practice conservative medicine but it cannot always be done the "cheapest way" or more commonly referred to as "conservative treatment". Abuse will flourish if activities are not scrutinized effectively.

4. Vendors to hospitals selling everything from gauze to MRIs have been making record profits with soaring enterprise financial valuations while hospital reimbursement has been continually cut to dangerous levels. As major players in the healthcare arena, whose prices directly affect the cost of healthcare, vendors should participate in the belt tightening.

5. Finally, I have worked for over the past ten years to make Palomar Health a system of healthcare services that its communities can be proud of. As you look at the new medical center, realize that it IS recognized as one of the top 5 most technologically advanced hospitals literally in the world. As well, we have brought the resources of the Mayo Clinic to Palomar Health, arguably the best the field of healthcare has to offer. The current incumbents, have demonstrated their abilities and have done their constituents proud AND we are just getting started. Keep the current trustees and myself in those seats to continue our work. Voting in candidates with no board experience and no experience whatsoever in the areas of healthcare management that are so important today will diminish the progress in these vital areas. Two of the three trustees running for re-election have nearly 100 years of front line hospital management and consulting experience. The third incumbent has 50 years of clinical experience and six years of trustee experience during the most progressive period in the history of the healthcare district.

This is important to the future of your healthcare in North County. Vote for Bruce Krider, Jerry Kaufman and Steve Yerxa.