LWV League of Women Voters of California
Marin County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Hal Hassin, MD

Candidate for
Director; Marin Healthcare District; Full Term

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

WHY I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE

I am running for office because:

Inept Incumbents

  • It is time for a change - the present regime has been in office long enough and has nothing tangible to show for their time in office.
  • The District Board will have a greater revenue stream than ever before and the incumbents can't be trusted to handle it responsibly. They have squandered $1,395,428 so far on legal fees and have pillaged a charitable bequest left to fund community health programs, using the money to chase "creative" legal theories and seeking confrontation with Marin General Hospital at every turn.
  • The incumbents have been unable to propose and implement programs that address enhancing the health and welfare of the community.

Secure the Future of Marin General Hospital

  • We need secure Marin General Hospital for the 21st century by planning for seismic retrofitting and arranging for the necessary funding.
  • Since MGH's relationship with Sutter Health is important to its vitality, it is incumbent on the District Board to keep a vigilant eye on Sutter's financial solvency and its programs as well as those of MGH.
  • We need to renegotiate the lease with Sutter Health to insure greater participation of the District on the management Board while we assure Sutter Health they will have a long term relationship with Marin General Hospital.

Enhance Community Health

  • It is important for the District Board to play a proactive role in improving and sustaining the health of Marin residents.
  • It is important for the District Board to work collaboratively with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services.
  • It is important for the District Board to fund demonstration projects that expand the availability of primary care to Marin residents.
  • The incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is increasing it is important for the District Board to work with the MGH medical staff, Kaiser medical staff, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Marin Medical Society to establish a program that will reduce these organisms in the community.
  • It is important to establish a program that will engage retired physicians in the care of indigent patients.
  • Marin County's population is the oldest of all counties in the state; therefore the District Board should highlight issues that impact the health of the segment of our community.

Rehabilitate Sullied Reputation of Marin General Hospital

  • It is important for the District Board to work cooperatively with the administration and board of directors of Marin General Hospital while still maintaining an arms length perspective that permits the District Board to represent the public's interests.
  • The District Board should strive to create in Marin General Hospital an institution that will be recognized as national model for community hospitals around the nation.
  • It is necessary for the District Board to have a representative on the Board of Directors of Marin General Hospital Corporation.
  • It is necessary for the District Board to have a representative on the quality oversight committee of the Board of Directors of Marin General Hospital Corporation.
  • It is important to improve the safety of hospital in Marin County. Nationally 100,000 patients annually die in hospitals as a result of medical errors.
  • The District Board should have the right to periodically request unannounced quality audits of Marin General Hospital

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ca/mrn Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 6, 2000 08:30
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