Melvin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:26 AM:What doesn't everyone get about these bond requests - you are asking a small number of property owners to pay for all the hospital improvements. The official district does not cover all the hospital users, it should have been expanded and property owners are certainly not the only hospital users. It has been and always will be an unfair and unbalanced way to fund the hospital improvements. Some kind of tax that everybody pays is more equitable.

Mystery Solved wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:46 AM:Its a mystery to the editors why this failed! Duh, NO NEW TAXES! We pay enough already. Have Mexico pay for the renovations since this hospital has treated hundreds of thousands of their illegal citizens for free over the decades.

Its a mystery to me how these same editors can run a successful newspaper!

TIme for Change wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:22 PM:The poeple who voted YES can still financially support the hospital via the foundation, but we first want to see a change on the board and Gonzalez (and gang) has to go. Time for new leadership

john wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:36 PM:I agree with sending bills to Mexico. Not only that what about the millions of anchor babies having anchor babies. We are fed up with Washington and the greed they live on. Brian Bilbray has HR1940 in committee which will end the instant citizen that they come here for. Tri-City should close maternity and emergency room. We want no more.

Steve wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:57 PM:It's no mystery to me why this bill was rejected. The hospital has asked me to pay for a hospital that I don't use. I also do not believe that the amount asked for would be the final bill.
If I need emergency care I will take my chances on an ambulance to Scripps rather than wait in an emergency room full of patients that don't pay for the facility.

Share the Wealth wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:14 PM:Your last question, "what will we do if the hospital cuts services, or closes it's doors?" I for one will go to Palomar Hospital, my first choice for proximity to my home in Vista. Those in South Carlsbad will go to Scripps (Sharp) Encinitas, closest in proximity to their homes, and All the Military personell in all 3 cities will go to Camp Pendleton. THIS, oh editor, is the main reason your Prop A failed. Taxing all of us who would never use Tri-City by choice, is wrong. Now, everyone write your Representative, and tell them to support HR1940.

Get a clue wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:19 PM:Are ANY of the YES voters/supporters out there reading and listening to what people are saying? How can you not have a clue?? We've said it hundreds of times already-Don't tax me (a property owner)for something EVERYONE should be paying for! TCMC tried to scare/threaten us into voting Yes, they lied and deceived us into thinking they had no money ($12 million profit, millions on commercials during the Olympics, a Wellness Center, HUGE Ceo bonuses and 3 failed campaigns!) Don't expect me to hand you a blank check for the next 40yrs! I fully agree with Steve-$600 million wouldn't have been the final bill, but if this had passed, property owners would've still had to pay for it! Figure out a way for ALL to pay and contribute-THAT'S the ONLY fair thing to do!

TCMC wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:11 PM:and NCT still don't get it? WILD. I agree that all who did vote YES should ante up funds for the hospital IF they choose. In the 20 years I have owned a home in Oceanside, my property taxes have gone up over $1,000 a year, despite Prop 13 and because of Bonds like A. The ONLY people who are causing the $1 million + bleed each month at Tri City are those who DON'T own property, who DON'T pay taxes OR their bills. So? TCMC feels the taxpayers are supposed to pony up AGAIN? There's the mystery.

Dont be so perplexed wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:23 PM:Because Home owners are penalized for being home owners and carrying the burden of social services for everyone else legal, illegal and otherwise.

I don't care if this tax is only 1 dollar, its not right or fair that a certain population of folks have to pay for a bond that another set of folks don't have to pay for but it to vote about it.

If I didn't have to pay for the bond I'd vote YES too, Duh.

To say a majority of the people wanted this Bond is a lie. Only a third of the ballots were returned and the other 2/3 didn't even know about it, because they weren't targeted for the vote because they wouldn't benefit from it.

Don't be so perplexed Tri-City Hospital Board, We said no 3 times. You bet we are going to vote your Butts off the board come NOV.

Bring this measure back again and you will see the fight of a life time!!!!!

Raw hate and stupidity wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:29 PM:The raw hate-driven Minutemen and their ignorant blathering and utter stupidity by others who falsely pumped up/hyped and grossly exaggerated the tax issue killed needed renovations for our hospital.
How pathetic you all are.
And, sad.
This hospital was founded as a community entity. Every anti-prop A person forgot that and will regret their ignorance down the road.

The real mystery... wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:26 PM:The real mystery is the relationship between the NCTimes and TCMC. What is behind the NCTimes' unconditional endorsement of TCMC? Why is there no journalistic integrity when covering this issue? Why does the NCTimes assist TCMC in spreading fear in the community?

Now you threaten that private hospitals don't take Medicare? Can you name one, just one???

There have been so many missed opportunities to tell the whole story, not just a one sided version. So the real mystery remains: Is the NCTimes just scraping the bottom of the journalistic barrel and completely inept at investigative reporting ...

to raw hate.. wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:48 PM:If the hospital was founded as a COMMUNITY entity, then why didn't TCMC go to the community as a WHOLE for funding? Instead, they wanted to put the tax burden on a SINGLE group of citizens, not the community! The tax issue wasn't hyped up or exaggerated by anyone-it was plain and simple-tax the property owners, and ONLY the property owners. THAT'S what killed the measure, nothing else. If anyone exaggerated the issue, it was TCMC! "The hospital is going to close (have they started packing?), "we have no money"(but can spend millions on commercials, ads, losing campaigns, bonuses, etc), "we've exhausted ALL other options to find funding," (TCMC is NOW looking into OTHER financing options). Sounds like they were the ones who falsely hyped/pumped/exaggerated the situation! I'd call THAT pathetic!

TO RAW HATE wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:27 PM:If you are so worried about TCMC, then get out your own check book! I don't live near TCMC so don't expect me to pay for it! TCMC has heard from the voters THREE TIMES! There are many other options, instead, they have spent millions scheming to force us to pay, while they give themselves bonuses. We need TCMC? Well, we need to eat too. Should property owners be taxed to keep Ralphs in business? Believe me, if a hospital is needed, and TCMC fails, a major hospital chain will buy it.

send in the mail wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:30 PM:I love what every 'No' blogger was saying. Please send it in as letters@NCTimes.com so that those uninformed 'yes' voters will finally get what we are talking about all along. ...

to raw hate wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:33 PM:You should move.

There is absolutely no reason to live with so many intolerable pathetic people and a place without a hospital to your standard.

Hurry up and pack before TriCity closes.

to NCT editor wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:42 PM:The first bond 'measure F' Failed when the economy was good and housing was at the peak. The 2nd bond 'measure T' Terminated when the economy and housing were all good. The 3rd bond 'measure A' Annihilated with a even wider margin because people are informed.

You are extremely uninformed and biased, unfit to be in the journalism industry. Have you ever read the letters and blogs of your own paper and website?
...

mystery wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:10 PM:NCT maybe afraid of losing the ad revenue from TCMC.
The editorial statement of "There has been only one statement from bond foes that came close to being rational: No new taxes now." is an insult to 20,000 voters. what an insult to those who get it.

it is not no new tax now, it is 'Stop taxing us' period. Not just now but forever. Don't try it ever again!!!!

Maybe TriCity can help the newspaper with a bail out bond when 20,000 subscriptions are canceled.

Charles wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:01 AM:Let's face it, if the hospital did get the bond past they would have wasted the money. Hqave the hospital board figure out a ledigimitate way to get upgrades completed, like having the people who use the hospital pay for their services. Who uses the emergency room and maternity ward anyway, oh that's right the same peole who mow our lawns and clean our pools. I am not paying for perpetuating peoples quality of life who break the law.

Editors Out of touch... wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:36 AM:So what if the hospital needs to cut some services? Do you understand anything about about medical economics? Not every hospital needs to be a tertiary care center.

I understand that your "editorials" are your opinions, but why does every piece by your Staff Writer Paul Sisson also read like an editorial? Time to troll the high schools for another writer.

Does anyone know wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:11 AM:Who to write when you have been treated very poorly by the TCH emergency room staff?

Oceansider wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:39 AM:I doubt that this comment will be published either, since my last one excoriating the NCT editors for their astonishing obtuseness wasn't, but here goes:

Blogs on THIS VERY WEBSITE have expressed in excruciating detail why the THREE bond measures failed. Blog entries above are doing the same thing, expressing the same views as those in the past.

How, at this point in time, an even semi-conscious NCT editor can be perplexed as to the reason why the voters rejected TCMC's bonds only demonstrates that said editor needs a shave with Occam's razor.

The truth... wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:06 AM:The truth is that there are countless reasons why this bond failed a third time. The first one failed because it asked for too much money and was not an open process. There was little trust of management or the dysfunctional Board of Directors. Mix in the belief that management is paid too much and that the quality of care provided by Tri-City was mediocre to poor. Add on top of that the perception that the emergency room is filled with illegal immigrants, and you have a recipe for failure. The second bond attempt came immediately after the first based on the belief by the Board that there was some kind of momentum achieved during the first campaign. There is and never will be political momentum in a loss--something no one at the hospital was willing to admit.

The second campaign failed as well because the hospital didn't address any of the real or perceived problems. The second loss made a loss in the third attempt a foregone conclusion. During the third attempt they tried to roll out silly feel good campaigns at the hospital, spent a ton of money on commercials and still didn't address the root causes of people concerns. To be clear, some of the reasons expressed by the opposition are complete nonsense; including the illegal immigration rhetoric and the foolishness about the tax not being fair because only homeowners are paying (everybody pays because all property is owned by someone). However, it does not matter if those against the bond are nonsensical—you have to address what people believe, not what the hospital management or consultants “know” or think is reality.

The management and Board of TCMC need to eventually realize that they need to get their house in order (likely requiring a new Board and management team), they need to embark on a significant campaign to address the perceived problems with TCMC (perhaps an education campaign...however, completely write off the 30% who will never vote for a bond, including many of those blogging on this site, and concentrate on the small percentage of people who a) haven't yet made up their mind and b) have not anchored themselves in complete ignorance).

In conclusion, the past three bond failures have one thing in common--the current management. Three different campaign consultants, three different circumstances, same result. Perhaps this should be a wake-up call that there needs to be fundamental change at TCMC if people are ever to take pride in and support their hospital ever again.

Jaque wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:13 AM:""Thus to the minority of those who voted "no" (led by San Diego's Joe Brown, Dr. Gary Gonsalves of Carlsbad and the San Diego Minutemen), we can only ask: What are you going to do if this public hospital stops being a full-service medical center, curtails some types of care, closes completely or becomes a private facility that refuses Medicare or Medi-Cal?""

Same damn thing youo are going to do, go somewhere else.

Proud Supporter wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:32 AM:The editor’s view is an accepted by the majority of the community whether they use the hospital or not. The hospital provides a clear mission to our community that cannot be over stated. The hospital haters will ignore this because they are only concerned with themselves. When the haters are in an auto accident or have a heart attack the hospital with be there for you no matter what your views are on the hospital. A note to the haters, when the emergency services pick you up please ask them to take you to Scripps or Palomar with the longer drive there may be fewer of you.

Part of the hospital mission is to care for the under privilege and poor in our community. The hospital gets no credit for this. They are not asking for it either but it dose affect their bottom line. It a societal issue not the hospitals but yet they provide the care and don’t complain. Unlike the haters the they are focused on good public health for the community. You might say it’s you the haters that should be responsible for the uncompensated care they provide but NO that would be someone else’s responsibility of course. Maybe Dr. Gary could take this on.

The fact is the property tax measure would have been paid by the majority of the citizens in the district. Renters, homeowners and business owners in the “District” This is no longer an issue so please haters get over you narcissistic selves they are not taxing you.

The editor was doing his job which is to report on our community and the issues that affect the people who call North County home. The hospital now needs to redirect capital dollars on concrete and rebar and instead of cutting edge technology and staff. This is of no consequence to the haters but to the rest of us I applaud the editor to point this out and should be a concern for all North County residents. I am a proud support of Tri-City Hospital, staff and leadership.

Heather wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:42 AM:Bond issue aside, I don't understand all the complaints I see about Tri City's ER. Granted I've only had to use it once, but it was one of the best emergency hospital experiences I've ever had. The place was clean and practically empty (late on a Saturday evening no less). The staff was friendly and the overall bill was less that I expected (without insurance). I'd have no problems going there again and feel it would be a great loss to the area if it closed.

HAZUS Software wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:54 AM:Tri-City should first use the HAZUS software to evaluate the buildings. The state, using the HAZUS software, found that the Palomar Medical Center would not collapse in an earthquake, so the hospital can continue to operate as is until 2030! Tri-City may have 22 years to replace the older buildings.

To Jaque and Proud Supporter wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:36 PM:It's time to stop asking the NO supporters what we're going to do if the hospital closes! TCMC threatened us with that already and since they're looking into alternate ways to fund their project, it's obvious the closing isn't going to happen, and won't happen. Also, it is and always will be an issue that property owners would have been the ONLY district citizens paying for the tax measure, that's why it FAILED! If TCMC wants to improve, I say go for it! I'll vote YES to any measure that FAIRLY puts the tax burden on ALL CITIZENS. The no supporters aren't "narcissists" as you put it. This tax measure would have affected property owners for 40 yrs. That means our children and grandchildren would have been paying for it too! Guaranteed that the $600 million "estimate" would have been a joke by the time all the upgrades would have been completed. TCMC mismanages it's money, they'd rather give it away to the CEO, ads, commercials, Wellness Center, etc. Instead, TCMC wants a select group to pay for their "project." TCMC needs to come up with a fair and EQUAL way for all to contribute and I mean ALL.

to The Real Mystery wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:05 PM:How about Kaiser Permanente........so many fools on this blog who havent a clue...................

Proud Supporter wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:11 PM:Ok, school me. What is your solution to Fair and All? It easy to spat out meaningless rhetoric. It's a whole different story to provide an actual solution. Also, a 100 dollars a year would hurt your grandchildren? What a joke.

Floyd wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:11 PM:If you'd like to contribute that $100 a year in my name, that would be okay with me. It's only a hundred bucks. You won't miss it.

To to Real Mystery wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:23 PM:Yes, Kaiser hospitals do take Medicare. My Dad is on Medicare and is a Kaiser plan member.

Lynnette wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:29 PM:The NC Times this morning mentioned that Palomar will be looking for more qualified staffing when their new hospital opens in a few years. It looks like the staffing will be no problem as 3000 employees from TCMC should be available to switch when it closes. Other business such as The Vista press, the Blade Tribune, Safeway, Heller Ford, and so on have all died or been taken over with no problems. The only losers in this area will be the several hundred people ever day who will get to find a new place to go. 70 Hospitals or clinics have closed in California over the last 15 years, and ours will be added to the list. The board of directors are all outside citizens of the community, and when new ones are elected, they will still be just that, citizens. When your loved one does not survive becouse medical help was too far away, send a note to a doctor who practices at a Escondido hospital, and does not even live in their district along with the law office that operates across the street from a senior retirement trailer park in Carlsbad. They would be glad to hear of the wonderful thing they are partly responsible for.

Kaiser does take medicare wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:38 PM:So who is the fool now?

Not so fast wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:07 PM:To Real Mystery BS. Only if they are on the Kaiser plan. All medical no insurance etc are not welcome. They only see paying patients. Keep the truth dude.

To Real Mystery wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:37 PM:The beauty of oceanside politics...the squeaky few, yelp and complain, criticize, like those folks in the beach preservation gaggle, who never have a positive, constructive suggestion.
TCMC loses due to vocal few while the silent majority suffers.
How sad.

Get paid for solutions wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:48 PM:Voters vote. Period. They don't get paid millions to solve problems.

The TCMC board, CEO and high paying execs are getting paid millions for years to come up with solutions other than TAX, TAX and more TAX.

Get real, people. Get rid of the people who haven't done their jobs. Stop killing the messengers.

Frankher wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:50 PM:I guess 35% of us have dictated to 65% what our desires are. For the 70,000 who did not even have time to check a yes or no box and put it in the mail, postage paid, remember that every vote counts, yes or no. Think about that in November.

Majority wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:59 PM:Once again to those who don't know math.

33,000 yes votes over 140,000 eligible voters is not a majority.

Democracy has to be upheld. Had TCMC management respected the process, it would not have invited the 3rd embarrassment.
Denial, blaming others will not solve any problems. Do you want to solve the problem or not? How Sad.

What Tri-City wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:05 PM:As Palomar and Scripps continue to expand, will there still be a need for the current Tri-City to service all three cities?

Scripps expansion plan should have enough capacity to service Carlsbad without any tax dollars.

Is Tri-City's huge expansion plan really necessary?

How does Scripps do it without tax dollars? Let's ask the real questions and learn from better practices.

To Not so fast wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:21 PM:How about you and your editors "keep the truth." You are trying to scare seniors into thinking that a private hospital will emerge that will exclude them. Kaiser does, in fact, have a Medicare plan. If you are on Medicare you can choose to sign up with Kaiser and go to that hospital.

I still challenge you to name a private hospital in California that does not accept Medicare (or have a Medicare plan, if you want to split hairs).

I did not comment on "all medical no insurance etc" or whatever point you are attempting to make. Show me a hospital that takes all forms of payment all the time, and I will show you a hospital that will be out of business VERY soon. Same holds for Tri-City. Before you chime in you should educate yourself on medical economics and contracting.

You and your editors need to stop the scare tactics. You lost. So, how about "keeping the truth, dude."

get to work wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:46 PM:One of the reasons the bond did not pass is because people will not pay more for low quality care. So, Tri-City employees, get to work and quit wasting the money you already have. People will vote yes if they are getting good care. Everyone knows that Tri-City is the hospital of last resort. Those who can go elsewhere! Why would we vote to spend money on a hospital that we won't use and one that we certainly would not take our family to. If we felt it was a good hospital with well trained people who care, we would go there when we needed help, and we would vote to fund improvments. Instead, the majority of employees are scraped from the bottom of the barrel, and when the barrel is dry the rest of the open slots are filled by imported help. You want us to fund a hospital that we wouldn't go to? Really, if your family comes down with something serious where would you take them? It is cheating if you choose Tri-City only because you have friends there and you know they will get special attention.
Would you bring them there if you knew that they were going to be treated just like everyone else? Certainly not. Now you have the answer. That is why you don't have the requested funding. Take responsibility for the slum like hospital you have created. Get to work!!!

Not so fast wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:50 PM:BS! Show up at the Kaiser emergency department with a critical problem without their insurance. They will transfer you out in a heart beat. May be your last heart beat. Where did I try to scare seniors? Again BS! The question was to name a hospital that does not provide Medical or Medicare services. Kaiser, you can spin any way you want. They do not accept you as a patient without their specific insurance. Anything else is a lie!.

To What Tri-City wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:57 PM:What a joke. Palomar past a 1 billion ballot measure with the help of Dr. Gonsalves who lead the opposition to prop A? He works for Palomar, he does not want the competition from Tri-City. As for Scripps. Their community gives 30 million per year in philanthropy. The Tri-City community give maybe 1.5 million per year during good times. I am sure they appreciate the communities philanthropy but it's no where close to 30 million per year for the past 20 years!

To get to work wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:05 PM:I work at Tri-City and my family goes to Tri-City when they need care. Your comments are flat out false. My wife had surgery at Scripps Encinitas. The care there was so abysmal the surgery needed to be redone at Tri-City Hospital. My grand son was born at TCMC and my daughter was treated in the emergency department with exceptional care. The care given at TCMC fare exceeds the limited services at the so called Carlsbad hospital!

Your spin does not work wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:19 PM:"Once again to those who don't know math.

33,000 yes votes over 140,000 eligible voters is not a majority.

Democracy has to be upheld. Had TCMC management respected the process, it would not have invited the 3rd embarrassment."

19873 no votes out of 140,00 eligible. Who should be embarrassed with their spin.

To Get paid for solutions wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:31 PM:You say you will vote for tax dollars when they come up with a solution to include everyone. But it's their job to come up with a solution acceptable to you.

The reality is you wiss not support the solution no matter what they came up with. Be truthful for once. You will never vote to support the hospital. No solution will work for you because you have an alternative agenda. Well get on with your life. They are not coming back for your help so take your rhetoric elsewhere.

The real deal wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:51 PM:The hospital screwed up by doing the mail in ballot. Almost 20,000 yes voters did not vote this time around as in Prop T. The no’s got a measly 2,000 additional votes with the mail in ballot. I personally will be asking the hospital Board to take this back to the general election in 2010.

to proud supporter wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:47 PM:I'll give you my idea of fair funding.
Sales Tax add on in the entire area or since the property tax area is based on old arbitrary boundries, a discount if you are in the district or a surcharge if you are not. Fairness for those paying might get different results.

RN wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:14 PM:To: Get to work!!
Take a good look at your name: Get to Work. You are so outrageously rude and disrespectful in your comments about the staff at TCMC. One will never be 100% happy with service in any type of business. I would love for you to walk in my shoes one day and see what I do for a living. I could sit here and type out a whole entire list of what my position requires of me to take care of those in need. It is people and comments like yours that really cut to core. I can choose to be really angry or I can choose to just chalk your comments up to stupidity, lack of respect for another human being and a racists (imported help). Your so called comment about "imported help" well guess what, they are some of the very best nurses I have ever worked side by side with. In a crisis at work, I hope and pray that I have some of the "imported help" to back me up. They are always there to give you a hand. You will never see one of their mothers or fathers being placed in a nursing home to die unlike us Americans. They take their loved ones home and care for them around the clock. I take serious offense to your comments about "scrapping the bottom of the barrel" I work along side some of the very best nurses and physicians in the state. I can assure you they were not "scrapped" from anyones barrel. They made the choice to come to a great facility that each and everyday is saving lives. Once again I can choose to harbor anger for people like you or I can choose to remember what I do for a living. My last shift I sat with a very young man who was told he has appx 6 weeks to live. It was he when I turned to walk out of his room who called me back in to "Thank" me for all that I had done for him that day. The biggest part was holding his hand and giving him encouragement not to give up. He was the one getting the death sentence, I was the one getting his "thanks" for what I do. It will be those times and comments that I "choose" to remember not those of people like yours. So "Get to work", have a blessed day and I hope someone "thanks" you for who you are one day.

To Not so fast wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:04 AM:Do you really stand behind your comment that if critically ill I would be transfered out in a heartbeat from a Kaiser ER (or any ER for that matter)when it might be my last heartbeat? Are you really that much of a fool to think doctors go around transfering unstable patients like this? If so, there is not much point in debating with you.

Hospitals will transfer patients once they are stable. I'm sure a few Kaiser patients have been transfered out of Tri-City too. It goes both ways.

The second to last sentence of the NCTimes editorial is a clear attempt to frighten the community. I take issue with the reference to Medicare in particular because it affects our seniors and may cause false worry. I find it to be a very irresponsible statement that they, or you, cannot back.

With regard to Medicare and Kaiser, the following is from the Kaiser website:

"Senior Advantage, Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plan, combines your Medicare coverage with Kaiser Permanente's experience, quality, and convenience to provide Medicare beneficiaries with one inclusive benefit package."

So if Kaiser replaces Tri-City and you are on Medicare you CAN go there by signing up. You are not excluded from the club. Don't let the editors of the NCTimes abuse their position and continue to scare you with lies. This is journalism at its worst.

Philanthropy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:25 AM:All the "Yes on A" crowd should make Tri-City the beneficiary of a "Charitable Remainder Trust."

When you all die, Tri-City benefits (as do we all).

GWiz wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:51 AM:Palomar got their bond passed with the help of Kaiser. In the new world of managed care Kaiser decided not to build their own hospital in San Marcos, rather they gave Palomar $350 million for the use of 1/3 of the new hospital beds. Tri-City has had the same offer but the Physician board has turned it down. They also refused a contract with Sharp, who moved on to a contract with Scripps. If Tri-City could have $350 million from Kaiser and continues to turn it down, they certainly do not need any of my tax money. WAKE UP TRI-CITY! Are you listening Dr. Gonzales? It is too late for Sharp and all the business they brought us, but Kaiser has a new clinic in Oceanside and is smart enough to still want to forge parterships in our area. By the way, what does the money spent on the "Wellness Center" basically a gym, have to do with the hospital?

Not so fast wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:51 AM:Kaiser is going to buy Tri-City. You have lost a few of your marbles.

From your web site. Kaiser Medicare Advantage plan! You need to be on their specific insurance. I cannot go there for my care I don't have their insurance!

As for your transfer views. I stand by my statement. I have see it. The second you meet minimum criteria you WILL be transfered.

If the shoe fits wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:00 AM:I continue to hear belly aching from Shadowridge about the Tri-City bond not passing. When the CITY (look up the term) needed to fix sewers, they said they should not be taxed since their sewers were new. The mayor and city leaders buckeled to your pressure and now 1/2 the city will pay for repairs. Our leadership is laughable. But now, when it would cost you nothing, you simply can't understand why the bond didn't pass? Right!

If the shoe fits wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:31 AM:TO WHAT TRI-CITY: Are you kidding? You already seem to know the volume of patients Tri-City manages each day, where do you suppose these patients would go? Hospital ER's are not permitted to turn people away, so Scripps may be further, but uninsured would find their way there.
I will not argue that Tri-City needs to figure out a way besides taxing a few people, but the towers of ALL California hospitals have to come down or be retrofitted. This was decided after Northridge by the lovely legislature, who made a law with no funding. Since the state can't afford to loose ANY hospitals, they keep pushing the mandatory date for compliance out farther. Wonder if that'll be a good decision for the safety of employees and patients if (when) there is another earthquake?

If the show fits wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:04 AM:There are lots of comments here about the quality of human using the services at Tri-City. Hospitals don't get to choose who appears at their door and they don't get to turn people away. So, while it is frustrating to deal with (in schools AND hospitals) these are things we really need to bring up to our legislature. Demand accountability for the employers, continue the ICE sweeps of known criminals and those that have already been deported and have never left or are still here. It is true that this is a huge cost for all of us. And do you want to know what demographics say the city in the future will have the largest Hispanic population? Vista by a huge margin. Not Escondido, not Oceanside....Vista. Wonder why? Could it be Mayor Vance and his band at City Hall?

Randy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:48 AM:It's the economy, stupid!

To Not so fast wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:01 AM:I give up. You win.

(1) I love Tri-City and will give them a blank check for whatever they want to do in the future. They can have all my blood too.

(2) If Tri-City goes private all seniors are screwed and the world will end.

(3) If I am critically ill I will be denied care at a private hospital's ER because you have seen it.

(4) The editors at NCTimes can mislead and scare their readers because integrity doesn't matter when you have an agenda.

I am done. You win.

Tri-City Supporter wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:29 AM:Everyone wants a quick, easy and cheap fix. There isn't one. Yes the economy is a huge issue that can't be ignored. And because of the economy I can understand why someone might feel that they had no option except to vote no.

But what never ceases to amaze me how many people "know" how to fix this very complex problem. And how many "bloggers" apparently need to make such mean spirited often uninformed and oversimplified comments about a very complex issue.

This community needs to keep and upgrade its high quality hospital. Try being part of the solution instead of sitting on the sidelines throwing rocks.