Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this
postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to
mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 18, 2012
Dear Editor,
Damn! Doctors' Mob still doesn't get the respect it deserves ["
Playback," Music, Sept. 14]. For the record, Steve Collier was very much there for GrulkeFest. It was Don Lamb who was sorely missed at the festivities, even though Jennings Crawford did do a fine job standing in on guitar.
Roger Stafford
[Editor's note: You are correct. It was Don Lamb who was unable to perform. The Chronicle regrets the error.]
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 18, 2012
Dear Editor,
Re: “
The Med School Solution” [News, Sept. 14]: In a short course of time, the voters will be asked to make educated decisions based upon limited information that has been supplied by Sen. Kirk Watson, Seton, University of Texas, and the Central Health district. I can understand their desire to move quickly because of the monies that would be received from the Medicaid 1115 waiver program. But an emergency on their part to get this property tax passed does not constitute an emergency on the taxpayer’s part. Open public discussion, criticisms, and vetting of the issues are paramount to good public decision making, especially in times of fiscal restraint.
A recent article by Laura Pressley, Ph.D., which came out in the
Austin American-Statesman, stated, “there are more cost effective methods for delivering health care, and those solutions don’t require building a medical school and a new hospital.” Which brings up the point again that needs to be explored, is a new city hospital needed or a new medical school, or both? Or does Austin need more health care providers at the clinics to serve the poor and uninsured? Any consideration given to expanding allied health providers (nurses, dietitians, social workers, exercise trainers) working collaboratively with clinic physicians? Isn’t the crux of the issue to serve the poor and uninsured?
The Central Health Board did a disservice by not having open meetings. Ms. Patricia Young Brown was quoted that taxpayers need not be privy to their negotiations. I would argue that transparency is essential to the people who will have to foot the bill. I understand that they are serving the poor and uninsured but this approach was wrongheaded especially considering Austin’s educated public.
I support a new medical school here in Austin. It will create jobs and bring in smart people. We already have a nursing school and a law school. But the difference is that they were not constructed with a $50 million taxpayer subsidy. Leave the taxpayer out of the equation and build it. Will it solve the health issues of the poor and uninsured? Look to other cities that have medical schools and see if there is still a problem. Let’s see the studies that support it. Austin is becoming unaffordable even by the admission of the
Austin American-Statesman. Our Legislature needs to take note or they might face a Proposition 13 in the near future.
Paul J. Violand, CRNA, MS
Certified registered nurse anesthetist
RECEIVED Mon., Sept. 17, 2012
Dear Mr. Kanin,
I read your article this morning [“
The Med School Solution,” News, Sept. 14], however, I want to clarify some important information about the CommUnityCare – William Cannon Health Center. Our William Cannon clinic, which serves Dove Springs, offers more than just walk-in services. Our website notes that this health center offers complete primary care services with three family practice providers. In addition to these providers, a new physician will be joining the William Cannon health care team in October.
In response to the community, this clinic was expanded to see more patients – from newborns to adults – and provides prenatal care, family and internal medicine, pharmacy services, immunizations, prescription drug assistance, behavioral health services, and family planning. The clinic offers extended hours until 8pm, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday. We are eager to spread the word about this expansion so the community will access the services we provide. Unfortunately, many people believe this center offers urgent care only.
CommUnityCare is deeply concerned with the health of the Dove Springs community and would like to offer an increase in services to the area. As you may know, CommUnityCare is a full-service, Joint Commission accredited, Federally Qualified Health Center system that operates 22 sites in Central Texas serving about 62,000 individuals annually.
At this time, CommUnityCare is welcoming new patients at the William Cannon Health Center. If all services offered are utilized to full capacity we will be better poised to make a stronger case for an increase in services at that location. We are continually assessing the volume of patients seen at William Cannon and their health care needs, and recently partnered with Central Health to double the size of this clinic. Because Central Health provides a large portion of our funding, we work in partnership with them in service expansions. To continually monitor the needs of those who access our system, CommUnityCare regularly submits data gathered from our clinics to Central Health. Our mission is to work with the community as peers with open eyes and a responsive attitude to provide the right care, at the right time, at the right place. We encourage citizens to provide input to Central Health on health matters impacting their community.
CommUnityCare deeply values the interest of area leaders and other nonprofit organizations and is dedicated to providing access to health care in the Austin/Travis County area for underserved populations. We continually seek ways to improve services and we value the relationships we develop with those we serve.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Marrero, MSW
Community Relations Manager
CommUnityCare
RECEIVED Thu., Sept. 13, 2012
Dear Editor,
I work for CommUnity Care and feel some clarification is needed. The William Cannon clinic mentioned in the piece [“
The Med School Solution,” News, Sept. 14] is a primary care center with three family practice providers who can see newborns to adults. An additional physician is joining the practice in October. Patients can use this site as their medical home for pregnancy care, child wellness care, and to control chronic diseases like diabetes or other illnesses. It is not just a walk-in clinic, although it serves as that as well, with hours until 8pm and on Saturday. We are very concerned with the health of Dove Springs and responded to the community this year by doubling the health care services available at this site. We are committed to continuing our dialogue with the community and appreciate feedback from the community. We are open to new patients and welcome anyone who would like to visit the clinic or get a tour. Please visit our website
here for more information about the William Cannon clinic.
Thank you,
Isaac Pozos
Practice Manager
CommUnityCare
William Cannon Health Center
RECEIVED Thu., Sept. 13, 2012
Dear Editor,
I greatly appreciate Mike Kanin's comprehensive look at “
The Med School Solution” [News, Sept. 14] as a way to address increasing health care needs in Dove Springs and other parts of our community. As he wrote, we're not likely to get another shot of addressing these needs again anytime soon. We need to pass Proposition 1 on Nov. 6.
Steve Taylor