Accountability and Fiscal Responsibility

By Marcelo R. Rivera, M.D.

It is important the community elect Board Members who will work effectively to provide the greatest accountability and maintain a strong fiscal plan to safeguard the financial viability of the Hospital District. We must protect the public's interest and not violate their trust.

In our first meeting as Board of Directors in December 2000, the newly installed Board was faced with the challenges of reversing a $26 million loss, improving staff morale and developing a comprehensive Master Facility Plan to address earthquake safety standards imposed by the State of California.

Over the last four years I worked effectively with my fellow Board Members to address these pressing needs. Today as I face re-election on November 2, our Hospital District is "healthy and doing well." As Chairman of the Hospital Board Finance Committee I focused on re-establishing the financial health of the Hospital District. Today our Hospital District is on "solid financial ground."

As a member of the Human Resource Committee, I worked with my fellow Board Members and staff to improve staff morale. Nurse's salaries and working conditions improved and the Health System is able to recruit, hire and keep the best staff to provide outstanding level of service to patients.

Finally, by participating on the Board Strategic Planning Committee, I was part of the "team" that helped develop the current Master Facility Plan, which is designed to meet earthquake safety standards and at the same time expand Hospital bed capacity by 70%, double Trauma Care, Emergency Care and Critical Care services to all the patients in our region.

Our Hospital District has a very strong and clear vision for the future. The Master Facility Plan and the "Hospital, Emergency Care, Trauma Center Improvement and Repair Measure," Proposition BB will address the facility needs for our community for the next 30-50 years and ensure high quality health care for the future. The spirit of trust and cooperation has resulted in better services to patients and the community.

Palomar-Pomerado Health has a solid financial position as evidenced by its very strong financial grading from Moody's financial analysts. The health System has an outstanding credit rating, which is the result of hard work and high ethical standards. We have handled the taxpayers' money with great respect and care. The strong bottom line has helped us provide excellent clinical programs and services to patients and develop a great facilities plan for the future. Our financial succcess has also help us focus on developing strong partnerships between Nurses, Physicians, patients and administrative staff.