FORUM: Want my vote? Give me insurance
By Peter Murnieks - Vista resident | ∞
I am a satisfied user of Tri-City Medical Center and like its doctors and staff.
The emergency room is already contracted out, so I really do not feel it should be a major consideration in future plans. Emergency response is already separate from staff doctors, as anyone who pays an emergency room bill knows.
The real fact Tri-City refuses to address is that the hospital bond is to be paid by property tax. It is Tri-City's assumption that we will be forced to pay for everyone else who uses the hospital because we do not have the majority of the votes to defeat it.
It is a typical California solution. People who do not pay directly will vote for a bond to avoid another, fairer, direct tax on the coverage area.
I realize there is nothing we can do about this shell game politicians and Tri-City play every time its ongoing budgets ignore or defer maintenance and physical plant improvements.
The arguments for, or against, the bond really no longer have any relevance for the average California feel-good voter.
What can Tri-City do to capture my vote and get me to agree to further tax my property?
How about some supplemental medical coverage for my tax dollars? If I pay money to the district, it in effect becomes my hospital. Why should I have to pay the same price as a person who has never paid a dime up front? I should not.
Furthermore, anyone who buys my house will pay a larger amount to the hospital than I will under Proposition 13 laws. Now, usually taxes are a negative consideration when buying or selling a house, but in this case, with my proposal, taxes paid to the hospital could be a positive sales feature. You get health coverage when you buy my house.
Is it possible to have the hospital provide some type of coverage to those who pay taxes for the hospital?
If you have Medicare, MediCal, or any other insurance, coverage can be as simple as considering the patient portion as paid in full because you have already paid a premium to the hospital through your property tax.
If you do not have insurance, Tri-City can provide high-deductible, major medical coverage so you do not lose your property. This policy can be bid out to a private insurer or self-insured through the hospital district. Either way, it is a win-win proposition for the taxpayer and the hospital.
It will generate far more votes than they will ever need.
I understand this is a radical concept in California. Californians will always vote for someone else to pay more, like future generations. They like to punish people for owning property. When people complain about taxpayers getting something for their money, we can always reply that they are always welcome as paying, or charity, guests at our hospital.
How about it, Art Gonzalez (president and CEO of Tri-City Medical Center)? Maybe we taxpayers should get some reparations for our over $500 million.
Peter Murnieks is a Vista resident.
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My Mistake...corrected wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:11 AM:I must admit that the first two times I had an opportunity to vote on this, I voted yes. This time, I actually listened to the opposition. They are easy to find via a google search or one of their signs that are posted throughout Carlsbad. Anyway, their editorial in last Sunday's NCT made very good sense, as does this article. I just think those last minute voters should try to get the whole story. I voted NO. For me, the third time was the charm.
interesting way of thinking wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:58 AM:Well, due to the fact that most of these houses assessed value (if i remember correctly) is under $300,000.00 AVERAGE in all 3 cities. at $21.89 times 3 is only about $65.00 a year. Your statement for insurance is way out there. On average medicare deductibles are up over 800.00 a year? and most co-pays for an emergency room visit is $50.00? and most co-pays for a inpatient stay is $100.00 flat rate or $100.00 co-pay for the first 5 days? And every person that comes into the hospital has a different contract and co-pays that have to be followed by state/federal laws. If per the patients insurance they have a $50.00 Emergency room co-pay legally the hospital is not allowed to "write-off" that co-pay without trying to collect.
Peter, I don't see where it would be a benefit to the hospital to do this. It is a nice thought, but I only seeing the hospital losing more money in this case. And Tri-City has to furnish this new hospital on it's own.
Please vote YES today. Keep this hospital as a district facility. And most of all be proud you have a hospital in north county that has tried to make the best of a bad situation..
And if you really feel the need to attack anyone, Next election Vote to board members out! They have more to do with this then our favorite Art Gonzalez (CEO of Tri-City Medical Center). I have been through 3 CEO's and Art is the best CEO I have had. This is a man that listens to the employees and when he shakes your hand you can see he really cares. So stop attacking him on things that your Voted in Board members are approving!!!
Randy wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:30 AM:As today's NCT editorial so lucidly describes, reasons abound for voting in favor of Prop. A. When you, your children, or your grandchildren need immediate quality medical attention due to a stroke or heart attack, Tri-City's close proximity will be priceless!
ER Yes Bond No wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:05 PM:I don't think any of us would have voted against a bond to fund a new and improved ER. Or a new power plant that is modern. The rest of the stuff is too much and seems largely designed for convenience and bragging rights. Most of us don't even use this hospital with our insurance. ER YES- Bond NO.
Deja Vu to Randy wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:26 AM:And... Horton failed to support keeping a viable pediatrics unit -- instead Tri City's children rely on their parents to drive them southbound to Children's Hospital -- if parents are lucky (insured or not) they can afford the time off to stay 45 minutes away to be with their child when sick.
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