Natividad Medical Center

Dear County Commissioners:

Natividad Medical Center is the public hospital of Monterey County. It provides inpatient and outpatient services to all residents regardless of their ability to pay. It acts as a safety net to provide access to healthcare for all . A key component of delivering that care is the clinic system. The Blanco Circle clinics make access possible to many patients who would otherwise have difficulty getting to and from the main hospital. Natividad's present space cannot accommodate all the patient visits at the main campus. Downsizing NMC would have a deleterious impact on the viability of the hospital. The clinics enhance the auxiliary service revenues, which support the fiscal performance of the hospital. Closing the clinics amounts to dismemberment of the institution.

In these times of terrorist threats of biological or chemical warfare which could create widespread demand for emergency care, it is essential that our hospitals and clinics be strengthened in order to protect our residents. It is hard to rationalize limiting outpatient capacity in this new paradigm.

The present and future healthcare needs of our aging population are a challenge that confounds all budgets but the responsibility remains on the county government. Ultimately it is a community decision to set priorities, and the role of the governing body is to inform the public of the cost and offer solutions. It takes leadership to propose tax increases or bond issues as the means by which infrastructure can be improved. Then it is up to the voters to accept or reject the choices or continue to erode the quality of life in their community.

Beverly G. Bean, VMD
President, League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula

Patti Fashing
League of Women Voters of the Salinas Valley