HOSPITAL URGES YES VOTE ON PROP H

By Janis Russell

May 5, 2014 (La Mesa)- At a Proposition H executive briefing held on April 25 by Grossmont Hospital, community leaders in San Diego and East County showed up to learn more about the measure, which will be on the upcoming June ballot.  The measure seeks to extend Grossmont Healthcare District’s leae agreement with Sharp Healthcare at Grossmont Hospital for 30 years, until 2051.

This event was held to gain support, and this is their side of the argument. The speakers in support included popular radio DJ ‘Shotgun Tom Kelly’, whose real name is Tom Irwin. He had been a patient at Sharp Grossmont for quadruple bypass surgery. There were no speakers in opposition.

According to the District, in a paper entitled “Why We Need Proposition H”, ‘Proposition H’s goal is to continue one of San Diego’s and East County’s greatest success stories- Grossmont Hospital. “This premier model of public/private partnership with Sharp Healthcare combines the public resources of a state-of-the-art community hospital with a nationally recognized nonprofit healthcare system” the argument for the measure states. “ For nearly 60 years local residents have relied on Grossmont Hospital for life-saving comprehensive medical and emergency healthcare. For much of that time, nationally recognized Sharp Healthcare has served as the hospital’s operating partner, delivering consistently high quality patient care. Grossmont Healthcare District first affiliated with Sharp in 1991, knowing that a private provider with significant healthcare expertise could operate the hospital better than government and control government spending to further benefit the public.”

La Mesa Councilmember Ernie Ewin was the emcee. He first introduced  local officials who came, including El Cajon city Councilmember Star Bales. He then introduced the speakers.

Ewin addressed the question ‘Why are we here?’ the stated, “he community loves this hospital.This should pass appropriately…This ballot measure bears our support in moving forward.”

The first speaker was Michael Long, President of the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors. “..I have approved this. I want to continue this…”

Next was Mike Murphy, CEO of Sharp Healthcare. “I actually started my career at Sharp Grossmont Hospital…It has a special place in my heart,” she stated. “We’ve done a great job providing healthcare services.”

Doctor Brian Moore, Chief of Staff at Sharp Grossmont Hospital shared a statement from the Grossmont executive committee, approving the 30 year extension of the lease. He concluded, “I come away from this with a good feeling.”

Shotgun Tom Kelly shared his story of how he came to Grossmont Hospital. He would see a cardiologist, Kevin Rapeport, every six months.  At work, he recalled, “I [would] have this pressure and I stop it and it goes away. I walk again and it comes back.” Rapeport did an electrocardiogram and it came out normal. Irwin debated whether to tell him about how he felt pressure or not, and he decided to tell Rapeport. A neuro cardiologist put dye in his heart, and the dye didn’t show up on the scans. So, he then went to the cath lab, and he found out all of his arteries were clogged. His daughter Melanie, who’s an RN, suggested her father have surgery. So, he would go in for quadruple bypass surgery the next day.

Irwin had heard a story of how another radio DJ had heart surgery, and the tube the doctors put in affected his vocal chords and his voice hasn’t sounded the same. When Irwin told the surgeons this, they put in a smaller tube that bypassed his vocal chords. The surgery was a success. “I’m just so grateful for Sharp Grossmont Hospital,” he said. “They saved my life.”

A brief Q and A took place next. Barry Janz, Grossmont Healthcare District CEO, informed everyone that questions people asked would be put in the Frequently Asked Questions on the website.

Someone wanted to know if the extension was 30 additional years. Murphy told him it was the full 30 years.

Another person wanted to know about the biggest challenge Sharp Grossmont has ever faced. Murphy said there was no bigger challenge than ones they’ve faced in the past like the cost of healthcare and “funding adequately.”

Someone asked if there’s been any active opposition. Janz said, “There’s one opposition on the June ballot from Grossmont Union High School District board trustee Jim Steiringer” who has argued that the healthcare district board of directors rushed with the lease agreement without even considering other offers among other arguments.

Last up to speak was Bob Yarris, Board Member, Emeritus of the Grossmont Healthcare District. “I’ve been around for a number of years. From 1977-2008, I was either employed or served on the Grossmont Healthcare District or Grossmont Healthcare Board of Directors, and proud of it.” He mentioned how he was proud of the signing of the lease agreement between Sharp and Grossmont in 1991. “Please join me in getting a majority vote. Ask everyone you know to vote in favor of Proposition H. Consider adding a tagline to your business correspondence. Invite one of to speak at service clubs… Spread the word at church… We all can and should share in this effort.”

Councilmember Ewin thanked everyone for coming. He ended with, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.. Make sure you vote.”

For more information, visit: http://yesgrossmonthospital.com/.