POLTICAL/HEALTH CARE POTPOURRI

14 months after Plainfield's Health care was stolen by the Corzine Administration, The Star Ledger Special Writer ,Mark DiIonno, finds it to be front page material and perhaps a factor in the November elections. It is a well written article and would have served the community well if it had been written in July 2008. Instead at that time the Ledger to its shame chose to ignore Plainfield and the vastly different social/economic impact upon closing Muhlenberg from that which resulted in the closing of the other hospitals.

Unlike the two Democrat Assembly Candidates and incumbents, The 3 Gubernatorial Candidates have remarked on the Muhlenberg issue in the news media.None gave an encouraging answer.

Governor Corzine , patting himself on the back for reducing the 'hospital bed glut" said 'certain "safety net" hospitals for low income and uninsured people "need to be protected" and expansion of federally qualified health care centers would help fill the void"

Oh those politicians have a wicked way with words, Muhlenberg filled all the criteria of a "safety net hospital" but instead of being protected it was dumped in favor of a locally inaccessible hospital which has closer alternate hospitals. Edison would have suffered less by closing JFK then Plainfield did.

Corzine implies that the Neighborhood Community Health Center (or whatever its name is today) plus a satellite glorified ER which must receive Federal support, not his government's is an ideal solution. How many of us c an buy that?

Christie does not directly address the local situation and I wish he would. He said"the state has a role in reforming the way we operate our health system". We have found that out to our regret.

Christie goes on to say "A cooperative system of hospitals, nursing homes,and assisted living facilities would make spending more efficient." This could be true and pertinent for prolong and/ or terminal care, but completely ignores the acute phases of inpatient hospital care where the first 48-72 hours may be the difference between life and death. Patients and their families should not have to be forced to go on an expedition to a distant facility to perhaps receive in time care.

Daggett is quoted :"the broad need of the community has to be taken into account",""the state should ensure health services are available when a hospital closes", and 'Muhlenberg's satellite ER is and example of a vulnerable community remaining served".

Even independents can find golden meaningless words. Who took into account the Plainfield area communities needs? Services being available does not describe quality and accessibility, how can he equate the service of a satellite ER to an acute care hospital with accessible operating rooms. Perhaps he should watch the TV show ER.

None of the three have an workable suggestion for Plainfield's health care crisis. Corzine is complacent in what he has wrought, Christie misses the issue of critical acute care, and Daggett thinks our situation is ideal.

I would hope that these three men would take a firm stand on our problem before Nov. 3. At this time only Christie may have an inkling that we have a real problem. None care that even a hope of a solution could be transformed into votes.


I had directed a question to the four Assembly Candidates relative to this issue, only Bo Vastine stating that he was also doing so for his running mate took the time to do so.

Perhaps the League of Women Voters will present my question at there upcoming forum.

Hi Doc, I'll repost the link again in it's entirety - it didn't come out the first time. http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2009/10/ plainfield_feeling_the_pain_of.html

3:30pm anon omehow it does not stay live when I post it .I have copied it