HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02081994 - MR.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
DATE: February 8 , 1994 MATTER OF RECORD
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The Board of Supervisors heard comments from the following
persons on the work and goals of the recently deceased former
Health Services Director, Dr. George Degnan:
Andre Degnan, 5355 Alhambra Valley Road, Martinez;
Carla Degnan, 14 Wanda Way, Martinez;
Kevin Degnan, 5355 Alhambra Valley Road, Martinez;
Pauline A. Wills, M.D. , 4849 Morwood Drive, Richmond;
Irma L. Anderson, 5016 Nunn Street, Richmond;
Julia Robinson-Ellis, 101 Broadway, Richmond;
Shirley Wysinger, Mayor, City of San Pablo;
Randy Clarke, 168 Pelican Loop, Pittsburg;
Kathryn J. Bennett, M.D. , 401 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill;
Paul O'Rourke, 273 East 2nd Street, Benicia;
Kevin Gerrity, 1629 Julian Drive, E1 Cerrito;
Grace Ellis, 1718 Via de Verdes, Concord;
Hank Lane, 2141 Burton, Pittsburg;
Lynne Leach, 119 Ready Road, Walnut Creek;
John Copeland, 111 A Street, Antioch;
Jim Rogers, 1205 Melville Square #404 , Richmond;
Harry C. Sweet, Jr. , 1417 Whitecliff Way, Walnut Creek;
Donald E . Barkley, 431 Gilger Avenue, Martinez;
Ethel Dotson, 396 South Street, Richmond;
Irene Palomino, 4211 St . Paul Circle, Pittsburg;
THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY
NO BOARD ACTION TAKEN
c. 0A,Z.
JJ-\T Al:
STATEMENT OF PAUL OIROURKE M.D.
TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
RELATED TO HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION
FEBRUARY 8 1994
SINCE DISINFORMATION AND UNSUBSTANTIATED ASSERTION HAVE BECOME
STANDARD PRACTICE FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS IN REGARD TO THE NEED
FOR A NEW HOSPITAL AND ITS FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY, CITIZENS MUST
BE MADE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTS:
* THE COMPLAINT FILED WITH DHHS BY THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND OF
THE NAACP IS STILL PENDING. THE COUNTY HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED
OFFICIALLY THAT NEW CONSTRUCTION DOES NOT, AS ALLEGED, CONSTITUTE
A VIOLATION OF TITLE VI OF FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES.
THE BUDGET OF THE CLINTONADMINISTRATIONELIMINATES FUNDING
UNDER MEDICAID FOR ALL HEALTH BENEFITS SPECIFIED IN ITS HEALTH
REFORM PROPOSAL, * AND REPEALS AUTHORIZATIONAL OF FUNDS FORMERLY
ALLOCATED TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE HOSPITALS UNDER
DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE PROVISIONS OF EXISTING LAW.
IF, AS EXPECTED, THE NEWLY ENTITLED BENEFICIARIES
DO NOT HAVE TO QUALIFY BY APPLYING FOR WELFARE TO ATTAIN HEALTH
BENEFITS, THEY CAN CHOOSE PRIVATE COVERAGE FOR CARE IN THEIR
OWN COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF A DISTANT COUNTY HOSPITAL. THE WORKING
POOR, NOW WITHOUT ANY COVERAGE, WILL BE IN THE SAME POSITION.
IF THE CONGRESS CONCURS, THE ENTIRE FUNDING BASE TO RETIRE
THE CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION EVAPORATES.
UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE ONLY PRUDENT AND RESPONSIBLE
COURSE FOR THIS BOARD IS TO PLACE AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON
CONSTRUCTION AND MAKE PREPARARATION FOR DEFEASEMENT OF THE
CERTIFICATES TO MAKE WHOLE BOTH TAXPAYERS AND INVESTORS IN CASE
I) THE PROJECT IS DEEMED TO BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW OR
II) IF THE CONGRESS FAILS TO RESTORE FUNDS NOT
REQUESTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, AN UNLIKELY PROSPECT IF THE
PRESIDENT WINS UNIVERSAL COVERAGE.
CITATIONS:
*HEALTH SECURITY ACT
SUBTITLE C-MEDICAID
PART 1
SECTION 1201
"HEALTH SECURITY ACT
SUBTITLE C-MEDICAID
PART 4
SECTION 4231