I recently spoke with a former client colleague who I assisted in a hospital expansion project. Although it’s been several years since I worked with this organization, the project stands out in my mind as a very gratifying professional experience.
The challenge for this hospital was to generate the philanthropic funding required to build a new and expanded Emergency Room. They needed $3 million to make this happen. As I recall, their capital campaign generated $3.3 million and a terrific new ER opened 18 months ago. It’s a handsome facility… but more important, it brings a much higher level of emergency care to an entire community.
One reality of healthcare today is a significant number of people coming to an Emergency Room do so without insurance and without ability to pay, knowing (hoping?) they won’t be turned away. To address this situation, hospitals expand their emergency facilities. Often, additional space is NOT driven by an increase in medical emergencies but rather the need for a universal healthcare plan, one that covers every man, woman, and child in the United States.
I’m proud of this hospital… for the care they provide, for their commitment to the community, and for their many dedicated employees. It was a pleasure to work with them and a good example of the positive results that can be brought about through a community-wide collaboration.
But expanded facilities won’t solve our nation’s healthcare dilemma. This will require positive results coming out of Washington, which in turn is likely to require a Democratic President and increased Democratic margins in the House and the Senate.
Like many 4th district Iowans, I am committed to meaningful healthcare reform. I anticipate working hard to generate the desired results when a new congress convenes next January. Of course, other changes must take place in the next 9 months for me to have this opportunity, including a change in our congressional representation. I’m committed to helping make this change too!
Until next time,
Kurt Meyer
Congressional Candidate for Iowa's 4th District
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