Xxtreem wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:29 PM:The opposition is actually more powerful then Paul gives them credit for. Didn't the opposition get the same press as they are now. And they won!

The Big Rago wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:30 PM:This bond needs to fail again. This is not needed.

Vista Watchdog wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:56 PM:It is time to sell the Hospital and convert teh Community Hospital District into an Emergency Management District. Use the funds from the sale of the Hospital to fund improvements to Emergency Services and keep our Emergency Room open.

Before you vote to use taxpayer money to fund this Hospital think about this: Tri-Cities Community Hospital was built with taxpayer dollars and has no construction loans to repay. It continues to receive taxpayer dollars for other operating costs as well as receiving various benefits from being a Government owned operation. Therefore, we the taxpayers should in theory be paying less for our services at his Hospital that we own. However, the cost for services at Tri-Cities Hospital is no less than at any Privately owned Hopsital in CA. How can these privatly owned Hospitals make a profit, expand their facilities, remain on top of new technologies while charging the same for services as a Government owned Hospital?

Many of the Community Hospitals in Orange County have been sold to Private Non-Profit organizations and the funds from the sales have been re-invested into the community to run Emergency Management Districts. Quality of Hospital care actually improved and the qaulity of Emergency Responce improved dramatically!

Tri-Cities has out lived its usefulness as a Community (Government run) Hospital and it is time to SELL!

Tax tired wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:31 PM:Give me a break. I am so sick of these Tri City Medical Center bonds being forced down our throats. May I suggest that all they need to do is contact congressman Daryl Issa for the needed funding. We already paid all our taxes. Please stop shacking me down Tri City!

lady wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:52 AM:ONCE again NO MORE TAXES. Oh my gosh!! Do these people not hear what this Country is going through. I own a home here AND WILL not pay anymore taxes PERIOD!! Very,very tired of hearing about these people trying Again and again to get our $$$

Jean wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:54 AM:Please make sure this MD that is heading up the opposition never comes near me! Sounds paranoid to me with his fear of mail-in ballots! We need to improve this hospital - the population here deserves it - and has for sometime. It is a long ride to Escondido or La Jolla for the level one hospitals. We need one here.

not posted wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:31 AM:once again,I wrote in and IT was not posted. No, I did not write anything BAD
Just my opinion. What's up with that??

kc wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:34 AM:If the bond does not pass, the hospital will significantly decrease in size, layoff thousands and limit services to the area. People are ignorant as to the actualy need here. Part of the hospital will not be useable after 2013 if not fixed to meet requirements.

Jose wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:51 AM:I do think Tri-City needs a make over but not at my expense. I am sure more then half the people that go to the ER don’t have insurance. Also how many illegal does Tri-City treat in a year? If you can’t afford the care then don’t go to the hospital.

Policy Guy wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:22 AM:It seems to me that the opposition doesn't have a strong grasp of the issue. They don't know how much money they've raised? More like they don't want to admit how little money they have raised. Where does Dr. Gonsalves have privileges? He practices in Escondido...does he have privileges at PPH? If so, that is quite significant. A doctor from a competing hospital mounting a campaign against the bond…not sure if that is the case, but it's worth a look.

Karl wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:15 AM:kc, layoff thousands? Exaggerating a little are we? Does the hospital district even employ thousands?

Freaking out wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:40 AM:I'm barely making my house payment and taxes now. The school bond recently passed will add to that. I will vote no on this one. Simply can't afford it. And all the people say they have gotten good care at Tri City anyway. Maybe update the ER but that's it!

to kc wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:44 AM:these are government employees working for a government run community hospital! they wont be laid off and the hospital will not close or shrink in size (Not even if there where a magnitude 6.5 earthquake!). The only reason any part fo the hospital would be closed would be to attempt to shake down the people of North County. If this happens you can be sure that a PRIVATE hospital will see the opportunity presented and open up a facility in the area giving the government run hospital some REAL competition!

to Jean wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:48 AM:If you need a level one hospital and head south to La Jolla you coul just as easily head north to Mission Viejo! Oh by the way, this Hospital is part of Mercy Hospital systems (a Private Hospital system). ABSOLUTELY NO Taxapyer funds were spent to build this hospital and it is far better than any of the Government run hospitals you will find here in San Diego County!

TAXES wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:56 AM:Property taxes, sewer bonds, water bonds, school bonds, 1/2 cent sales tax, street sweeping tax, lighting district tax, vector control tax, and now they want to add a Hospital tax? The Presidential Candidates were all talking about a gas tax holiday, but now Congress actually wants to raise the Federal Gasoline Tax another 10 cents a gallon! Looks like Tri-Cities is in bed with the US Congress and just as out of touch with reality! We already pay more than 50% of our income in taxes, between income tax to the state and feds, the payroll taxes, property taxes and sales taxes! Yet our governemnt wants more. How does a Privately run hospital get money to expand or retrofit? They all charge the same for their services as Tri-Cities? So, why should we have to pay for the Hospital's financial problems? If we own it, can't we the people sell it to a Private operation?

BarbsKid wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:03 AM:Maybe Kaiser could negotiate to take over TC....they've needed a hospital in NoCo for awhile, and it would be worthwhile. Having recently spent an entire morning at the ER at TC, I would love to see TC converted to a Kaiser facility....but that's just me!

What I wonder wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:23 AM:What I wonder is, if this bond fails AGAIN, will they finally "get it" and give it up, or will they continue to beat us over the head with bond attempts in the future?

In America wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:06 AM:I see no matter what the public says, I see that the people using tax payer money can use anything they want.

kc wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:15 AM:1. The Hospital is NOT governmrnt funded. There are no government employess. IT is a non-profit organization.

2. Parts of the hospital wll not be able to be used. The eartquake modifications are not "just because", it is a mandate of the state. There is no getting around it. Even if a new hospital takes over, modifications still need to be made.

At leat Tri-City is being honest about the costs. Palomar was not, their bond was passed, and costs have been determined to be significantly higher than originally reported.

Ralphs wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:23 AM:What part of the bucket is empty do you at the Tri Cities Hospital not understand. It was voted down before and it will be voted down again.

One Day wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:32 AM:One day you or a close family member or friend with suffer from a serious injury, car accident, ect. One day they will need to be taken the closest hospital for treatment. But, that wont be possible because if we keep voting down this bond your family or friend wont be able to go to the closest hospital in our town because their wont be one. Everyone needs to realize that a hospital that is safe and up to date is needed in this town. I vote Yes on A.

Tuck wrote on Jul 20, 2008 2:05 PM:I would happy the pay a bit extra in taxes IF the hospital refused to treat any and all illegals.

Bottom Line to KC wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:04 PM:Unfortunately, you have a misunderstanding about the structure of Tri City's actual status.

For example, any time a lawyer wishes to sue a hospital it behooves them, on the behset of their client, to identify organizational structure of the entity they plan to sue.

Tri City Medical Center is "Doing Business As" (DBA) - a structure only. It is Tri City Healthcare District that is responsible for all of its ongoing, including being sued. Unfortunately some argue that the Board of Directors majority has abrogated its authority to their only employee - CEO Gonzalez!

If a lawyer is going to sue Tri City Medical Center, BETA Healthcare (the Joint Powers Agreement) legal arm will immediately go to court and get the case dismissed because the plaintiff's lawyer did not properly serve the appropriate entity!

The Tri City District's employee, CEO Gonzales, is a very smoothed his Kings men will always fall before he will fall.

As for the other employees they are under California Government Code law and considered public employees as well as in accordance to the California State Constitution.

Don't you see - This is the beauty of preserving a public entity. The people have the power over the instrument they created - the people just need to take back their control.

To KC wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:47 PM:If TCMC were not Government funded (i.e. Private) it could NOT move to pass a BOND! Therefore, it is a Government and NOT a Non-Profit operation! Mercy Hospital in Mission Viejo, on the other hand, is a Private Non-Profit and has done ALL its building and retrofitting without one single BOND! Please explain how they were able to this while TCMC Cannot!
According to History TCHA (A non-profit corporation) was formed in 1955 to oversee and coordinate the formation of the Hospital District, and the TCHD (a CA Constitutionally authorized Special District) was formed in 1957. The 1st Hospital Board was appointed by the County Board of Supervisors in 1958. In 1964 “Friends of Tri-City Hospital” was formed and local residents say an 18% to 20% decrease in taxes required to fund the operation of the Hospital as it became “Self-supporting”! However, to this day the Hospital District and Hospital Board remains in force. It is therefore a Government operation and NOT a Non-Profit such as Mercy, St. Jude, Hope, and many other Private Non-Profit Hospitals in CA. None of which have required one DIME of Taxpayer funds to retro-fit their facilities and all charging the same prices at TCMC for their services!
Also, as for the retrofitting you will find that the original requirement for retrofitting was simply based upon the year in which the facility was built. However, more recent requirements from the state have reclassified hospitals based on the actual structural engineering done at the time of construction. At this time TCMC has NOT submitted the original engineering plans to the state architect for review and thus does NOT know what category they fall in. If they are category A they will need to retrofit by 2013. If they are category B they will have an additional 5 years, if they are category C they will have an additional 10 years. Since the Tower was completed in 1968 it is quite likely a Category B or C. But, since TCMC refuses to have their Engineering reviewed we will never know will we!

To One Day wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:57 PM:I can assure you that if TCMC is forced to close its doors due to mismanagement of its funds, another Hospital Operator will move in and buy up TCMC so fast it will make your head spin! Why, because of exactly what you have said in your blog: People NEED a Safe and up-to-date Hospital that is close to where they live. There are big profits to be made off of an area this large and well populated. But, no Hospital can compete with a Government Funded Hospital such as TCMC. In the late 1950's when this Hospital was first dreamed of, the population was too small to attract a good Private Hospital. So, TCMC was started as a Community Hospital. The same goes for PPH in Escondido. But, now with the large populations in the area it is time to sell these Government Hospitals and turn the Hospital Districts into Emergency Management Districts. A Private Non-Profit would do a much better job running the Hospital and the funds from the sale of the Hospital Facility could be used to ensure a top quality ER/Trauma Center and EMS system in North County!

To kc wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:32 PM:You better take another look at TCMC and its status as a Government entity. Only Public Sector Employees can be legally exempted from paying into Social Security. Employees working at TCMC have the option of joining "National Security Retirement Program (NSRP - SafeCo): an alternative to Social Security." This option is NOT available to Private, Non-Profit organizations. Only to PUBLIC Sector Employees! Therefore, TCMC employees are in fact Government Employees! Nice try kc, but you need to go back to school and take IRS 101.

Dont be fooled wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:11 PM:Don't be fooled by the on slaught of very expensive TC PR coming out in the next couple of weeks. More patient care dollars wasted by management! Don't toss your ballot. Vote NO!

Pants on fire wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:15 PM:No hospital will be closed in 2013, particularly a District Hospital, if not yet siesmically compliant. Check it out from Senator Dede Alpert.

Larry wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:57 PM:The arguments of the opposition are fully matured and are much more comprehensive than they were in the previous two bond campaigns. The opposition now only needs to get their arguments out to the public and this third bond will be defeated. Although I'm not active in this current campaign, I see that many of my ideas have been incorporated by the opposition.

AJ wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:33 AM:Tri-City employs about 2500 actual employees. When you add in the medical staff and their office staff, plus the contracted staff (like Biomed, security, etc.) it is not that far fetched to think that 2000 people might lose jobs.

I am voting yes on Prop A for one reason. I want a modern, up-to-date hospital 2 miles from my home. I want to know that if I have a life threatening emergency, I can go to my local hospital. If I have a heart attack, I will get to the cath lab 30 minutes after I roll in. When I have children, I want to be 2 miles from where I will deliver.

My father-in-law had a heart attack last year while visiting from out-of-town. By the time we got to the hospital behind the paramedics, he was being packaged up to go to the cath lab where he had a triple bypass. Not every hospital has a cath lab, much less doctors and nurses willing to come in at 2:30 in the morning. He is a live because of them. No doubt about it.

I could care less about the CEO and how much money he makes. Regardless of who is in charge and whether you like him or her, Tri-City needs to pass the bond.

Randy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:18 AM:Once the bond passes, the most important thing is to ensure that each and every hard-earned tax dollar is spent prudently.

Jennifer wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:42 AM:Wow....amazing how the majority of who speaks is those that have negative things to say. It is funny that people say quit pushing the bond down our throat, if you call airing a commercial pushing something down your throat then there must be a lot of comapnies you do not like. Whether you like Tri-City or not really does not matter, whether you are a patient or not really does not matter. What matter's is when you or someone within the district has an emergency there is a place to go. Suggesting the hospital be shut down is just stupid, whether it be Tri-City or another hospital it still needs to be earthquake safe. People are missing the point. I will happily vote yes for the bond and hope people can see past all the mis-information going around and vote yes on this bond to ensure care for generations to come.

Just The Facts Please wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:01 AM:Here are the facts , don't let the No taxes people lie to you anymore :

The District employs 2,400 people whose jobs are on the line when the hospital closes , and it will if we the community that owns it don't vote yes on A !
Yes they made a modest profit in the current year but it is nowhere near enough to handle the mandated rebuilding of our local hospital
The hospital district pumps nearly $500 million into our local economy according to SANDAG that makes it the biggest economic engine in North County , without it in business see what happens to your home value or the ability to sell if you need to.
No organization is going to come-in and buy the hospital facing a State madated rebiuld costing $600 plus million.

Get a grip on reality for a very small sum per houshold we have a chance to preserve our local economy and ensure much needed emergency care is available close by when needed.

Don't be fooled VOTE YES ON A !

Christy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:06 AM:Once again everyone is against the Bond for Tri-City. Let's clarify something first, it's Tri-City not Tri Cities.
Really ask yourself, can I afford not to vote YES for this bond.... the answer should be NO!
Unless you are able to determine when you will have that heart attack, when will you have that stroke, when will your child have a seizure??? Now that you have asked youself those questions, now ask yourself.... while my child is having that seizure can I make to to Palomar in 10-15 minutes? NO. Will you make to Palomar, Scripps or Sharp while your mother, father, husband or wife is having a stroke or heart attack? NO. Could you have made it to Tri-City, yes you could have. But if the bond doesn't pass then services inpatient and outpatient will be cut. These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves. Last October during the wild fires there was NO hospital EXCEPT Tri-City that was able to accept patients for medical care and services. Rethink your opposition and do vote the right way. YES.

BobbyG wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:43 PM:With the hospital's history of mis-management being the concern, it is sure that this 3rd attempt will fail. The majority will not vote in favor of this bond due to the fact of overly paid "non-profit" administrators in the mix. Let's not forget how much money from the coffers has been spent on this frivilous campain. The only way that Tri-City Hospital will survive is a buyout from a profit making company. This will ensure a better managed hospital.

Randy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:27 PM:The third time's the charm!

To AJ Jennifer and facts wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:45 PM:You all seem to indicate that the Government run hospital is the only way we can have a hospital in the region. However, if the government run hospitals are the best way of doing business then why aren't they the only type found in CA? In fact, why have many of the "District" or Community Hospitals in CA been sold to Private Non-Profits? Sure, some of the smaller community hospitals have closed without replacement. But, in those areas the population did not support having a hospital in that location. Yes, that hurts people and I would support finding a way to keep those in business. But, in an area the size of North County, with the population we have here, the only reason we don't have a Private hospital is because they could not afford to compete with a District hospital that can dip into the public well any time they need funds to do a building project. Please note, Private Hospitals in CA were and are NOT exempt from the Earthquake standards imposed on TCMC. Yet, every one of them has completed the required retrofitting well ahead of the state mandated times, while the government run hospital like TCMC have waited until the end, spending their funds on other things, because they knew in the end they could hold the people hostage and then demand tax dollars to do their retrofitting. However, they forget that WE TAXPAYERS are the REAL OWNERS of TCMC! Therefore, if we demand that TCMC be sold to a Private Non-Profit, and that the proceeds from the sale be used to build out and maintain a top quality Emergency Management District, supporting the ER/Trauma Center at TCMC, and the EMS of the various cities and county in this area, then WE have the FINAL SAY!
Nobody will lose their jobs. Not even the Board members! In fact, the sale of the TCMC property and facilities, properly invested, would ensure far better EMS services than anything TCMC can currently hope to provide!
So, until you pull your heads out of the sand and look outside the box (Government) for all your answers, you will continue to be at the mercy of those who are willingly denying you and yours proper medical treatment while claiming it is due to the taxpayers failing to support the local Hospital.
You must realize that San Diego County is the only county in CA with more than 80% of the Hospitals run/owned by the Government! Privates just can't afford to move in and provide us with a little HEALTHY competition for services. Wake up before it is too late and you find that you too are ignored while sitting in the ER waiting for services, while people in the back find all sorts of excuses to not serve you, all because they are upset that the taxpayers didn't fork over even more their hard earned income to support the Government!

To Christy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:52 PM:Ask yourself this: If a small portion of the local Community Hospital is found to be unsafe for earthquake standards (by the way, this has been known for the last 30 years, so why not save the funds over the last 30 years to fix this), will the closing of that small portion of the Hospital force everyone to have to go to PPH? Also, ask yourself this: with over 1 Million people in the District would this Hospital really close, even if it were to go broke? We all know the answer to this question is NO, it would be sold to another operator who would gladly take over the facilities, finance the retrofitting, and openly COMPETE for the services of those people currently using PPH (a Government run Hospital).

Remember Firestorm wrote on Aug 2, 2008 6:30 PM:When firestorm occured last year, who was the only Hospital in the N. County that was open? This last earthquake should open some eyes. Talking about littering, check out Palomar Airport road. Lots of FREE garage sale signs available for the taking. Humm, the headquarters office for prop A is an attorneys office across from a senior mobile home park. Remember how much your attorney charged you per hour? Much more then a $400.000 home tax rate, and what did he/she do for you...after a 50% commission .....definitely not emergency medical care. If the Hospital goes away, the workers will go elsewhere, but where do we go? It definitely won't be Prop A Hqrs...