Disqus - Latest Comments for wizzer

Re: Asking tough questions about Valley Medical-UW alliance | Ryan Ryals - Covington & Maple Valley Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:44:30 -0000

That was harsh. True, but harsh.
Once upon a time you could count on newspapers to make an effort to check facts, and the term "reporter" implied credibility.
No more. Whatever comes to mind, or whatever they hear, they feel entitled to print as fact.

Re: Valley Medical commissioner calls process for establishing emergency department in Covington severely flawed - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:46:22 -0000

"Our resulting decision is an illustration of some of the worst aspects of American health care"...
The worst aspect is when self-serving politicians -like you- get involved!
If VMC doesn't make a profit somewhere, they'll be forced to come back for another tax increase to support the existing charity load.
Hemstad has failed to establish any kind of working relationship with anyone on the Board or Administration, pass one single initiative, or even state one coherent healthcare goal.

Re: Executive compensation and transparency controversial issues at Valley Medical Center - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:55:30 -0000

The link to the performance audit is here...SleepingTrouble gave a link to Psycho-mom Roach's press release.
http://www.sao.wa.gov/Audit...

Anyone ever wonder why Roach is so hot to sabotage a hospital that is NOT in her district? Maybe she thinks her profitable hospital, Auburn, can only do better if VMC falters?

Re: Another chance to replace commissioner - Renton Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:43:08 -0000

That issue has been settled, and Anthony Hemsted exposed as the liar in this whole incident. Hemsted read the resolution, knew what was involved, and voted against it. To now claim it was some secret deal is a bald-faced lie. Lie #2 is to claim that granting access to the retirement account somehow cost the hospital/taxpayers/patients more money.
VMC is a great hospital, with a long history of service to the community, and a bright future. Credit going to the CEO, and leadership of commissioners.

Re: Valley Medical Center board race needs to be watched - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:45:43 -0000

Valley Medical Center physician supports Mike Miller for board position

Sep 14 2009
As a member of the Valley Medical Center Medical Staff and Southlake Clinic, also known as Valley Internal Medicine, since 1982, I have generally not paid much attention to the elections for Board of Commissioners, and only once have I endorsed a candidate. But I care deeply about the quality of care and services provided by “my hospital”. Over the years, I have watched the hospital’s services grow, sometimes smoothly and sometimes erratically. But the breadth of services has expanded and the quality of care has steadily improved, while the population served by Valley Medical has grown. Like the rest of the medical staff, I consider it crucial that these patterns continue. And as a pragmatist, I realize that a quality board of commissioners is necessary for this goal.

As the elections near, I have pondered what qualities are vital to an effective board. A hospital commissioner needs a strong sense of the community as well as a selfless devotion to the health care needs of the community, placing those needs above self-advancement and ego. A commissioner must not only be knowledgeable about the operations and finances of the hospital, but he/she should be held to the highest ethical standards and be known for integrity and strength of character.

In my opinion and that of many members of the Valley medical staff, Mike Miller is the only candidate running for the Board that meets these standards. Although, as a physician, I naturally think that another physician might add depth to the Board, Mike Miller’s opponent Aaron Heide is not the right physician.

In November, I would strongly recommend that voters in the district cast their vote for Mike Miller and re-elect him to the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 1.

Terence A. Block,

MD, FACC

Re: Valley Medical Center needs to play fair in southeast King County - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:41:55 -0000

VMC has plans for expansion within the district. I'm glad they're planning a free-standing ED closer to my home, IN THE DISTRICT.
You don't live in the district...you voted to stay out. So mind your own business.

Re: Valley Medical Center board race needs to be watched - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:32:23 -0000

As a member of the Valley Medical Center Medical Staff and Southlake Clinic, also known as Valley Internal Medicine, since 1982, I have generally not paid much attention to the elections for Board of Commissioners, and only once have I endorsed a candidate. But I care deeply about the quality of care and services provided by “my hospital”. Over the years, I have watched the hospital’s services grow, sometimes smoothly and sometimes erratically. But the breadth of services has expanded and the quality of care has steadily improved, while the population served by Valley Medical has grown. Like the rest of the medical staff, I consider it crucial that these patterns continue. And as a pragmatist, I realize that a quality board of commissioners is necessary for this goal.

In November, I would strongly recommend that voters in the district cast their vote for Mike Miller and re-elect him to the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 1.

Terence A. Block,

MD, FACC

Re: Executive compensation and transparency controversial issues at Valley Medical Center - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:31:10 -0000

Paul: you dam right I'm attacking A.Hem, err you, I mean...whatever. You're so twisted, if some blogger disagrees with your position, you blame the "administration'.
I am part of the Save Our Public District Hospital movement. You are part of the Sell The Hospital movement. No surprise that you recruited a physician to run for commissioner who is associated with the hospital corporation that last tried to buy VMC.
I hate for-profit hospitals, and I want to stop you, I mean Anthony, I mean Pam...from selling VMC.

Re: Fairwood man makes VMC write-in run - Renton Reporter

wizzer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:25:38 -0000

EAbou:
How dare you call an honest and honorable man like Mike Miller a stooge?
You showed your colors: you want to disband the public district hospital status of Valley Medical Center. OK. But don't dishonor good people with your political posturing.
BTW... you don't see an inherent conflict of interest for Dr Heide? He takes all of his patients to the FOR PROFIT Auburn hospital. I'm sure they will be the winning bid to buy VMC.

Re: Executive compensation and transparency controversial issues at Valley Medical Center - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:27:38 -0000

At the last Commission meeting, the entire medical staff leadership confronted Hemsted for his divisive behavior and twisting facts (lying) to suit his agenda. His relentless attacks cause nothing but distraction...and he cares nothing about patient care. He couldn't even respond in a coherent sentence.

Re: Mike Miller only choice for hospital commission - Renton Reporter

wizzer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:14:56 -0000

Did you even read the letter, RIF?
"Although, as a physician, I naturally think that another physician might add depth to the Board, Mike Miller’s opponent Aaron Heide is not the right physician."
Doctors hate to air their dirty laundry...the above statement means 'do NOT trust this guy' !!!

Re: Executive compensation and transparency controversial issues at Valley Medical Center - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:54:39 -0000

You're not telling the truth, Paul! He DID NOT read the statement. I was there, too.
He also claims he didn't know about the payment. HE DID. He voted against it, according to the record, but he DID KNOW.
I can respect opinions of any honest man, but I have no tolerance for liars.
Hemstad needs to explain his own past before throwing bricks:
The parties stipulate that Anthony Hemstad violated RCW 42.17.125 by using $6,454 in funds from his 2007 campaign for Hospital Commissioner in King County, Public Hospital District No.1 for "personal use" in that the money was spent to pay for the portion of a political advertising mailer...
Read the entire thing yourself: PDC Case NO.08-096.

Re: Executive compensation and transparency controversial issues at Valley Medical Center - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:35:38 -0000

Cracks me up...Hemstad wants to submit a written commentary into the minutes; not read it and subject it to debate, just submit it as though he actually said it.

Re: Valley Medical Center board candidates lob issues at each other - Kent Reporter

wizzer — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:08:38 -0000

According to GORDY HOLT, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER "The hospital last received a tax-levy increase about three decades ago, in 1978....[the tax levy]... means the owner of a home assessed at $300,000 would pay $177 a year rather than $27.
The article also doesn't mention that Sue Bowman, who was elected as a "change" candidate in the 2007 election, is in complete support of the current administration now that she has had time to learn how the hospital is managed.
"Stealth election" is political rhetoric of the worst kind. It has no facts, just an accusation.
Vote for someone who actually has genuine interest in running the hospital for the good of the community: MIKE MILLER.
Heide was shown the door at VMC due to his misbehavior; he only wants to get on the board to have his personal revenge.

Re: Valley Medical Center physician supports Mike Miller for board position - Covington Reporter

wizzer — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:41:49 -0000

Same old sorry story...
the entire Hemstad/Roach/Heide crowd don't care at all about the hospital. They are all about politics and political revenge. Why in the world would anyone elect people to oversee the hospital who want nothing else but its destruction.
The hospital and its employees and management want only to continue to provide health care to the community as best as they know how.
Heide is a scary option for a hospital leader.DON'T LET IT HAPPEN.