Candidate Statement

By Edward W. Bough

Despite these positive accomplishments, El Camino Hospital still faces a difficult and uncertain future. Declining reimbursement from Medicare and managed care plans has resulted in significant budget deficits for this year and the next two years, despite restricted operating expenditures. Recent California legislation has mandated stringent earthquake standards for 2008 which, if unchanged, will require the building of a new main hospital tower at an esimated cost of 140 million dollars. Our relationships with physicians have been strained by declining physician reimbursements. It is often difficult and sometimes impossible to align the financial interests of the hospital, its nurses, its employees, and its patients, with the financial interests of the doctors who practice there. Inadequate funding by the state and county for the emergency care of uninsured patients may require the hospital to assume financial responsibility for physician coverage of the emergency room, a burden which it can ill afford. Finally, the District Board must find and hire a new CEO to assist us in successfully resolving these many difficult issues.

Now, more than ever before, the public must make a conscious decision to support their local hospital, both politically and financially. Construction of a new main hospital tower will require voter approval of a large bond issue. Voters must constantly pressure their elected representatives in county, state, and federal government and their personal medical insurance carriers to maintain adequate reimbursement levels for quality medical care. Only this will guarantee the long-term survival of El Camino Hospital.

As a resident of the district for over fourteen years, my family and I have relied on El Camino Hospital for our personal medical care. My friends, neighbors, patients, and colleagues all know that I have the experience, the incentive, and the ability to be a strong advocate for our hospital through the challenging times ahead.