Candidate for
Board of Directors; Antelope Valley Health Care District

Regarding the issues facing medical care in general and those specifically affecting the Antelope Valley Dr. Bean states: " Our goal continues to be providing access and availability of quality medical care to all of the residents of the District as well as to those who pass through our Valley. Our real shortages of hospital beds, of nurses and of physicians in many specialties makes the assurance of high quality medical care a real challenge. When the disappearing Federal and State budget surpluses (which dramatically impact Medicare and MediCal) are factored into the equation it sometimes seems to be an insurmountable task. Locally, when you add the past closures of the hospitals in Palmdale at at Edwards AFB along with the reduction in services threatened at High Desert Hospital you realize that the Antelope Valley alone (perhaps in the entire United States) seems to be facing a mission impossible....to provide more services to a growing population in the face of increasingly limited and shrinking resources!"

"It will require that the Valley recognize that this challenge belongs to the entire community and not just to those involved in the direct provision of care. It will require more of the sort of unity we have shown in the face of the threatened closure of High Desert Hospital and the assurance that there will be a full-service hospital in Palmdale in the near future!"

"Our particular commitment at Antelope Valley Hospital has been to take up the slack where ever we can and to continue to demonstrate a professional commitment to our patients and to the loyal and competent staff who serve them. All of the national, state and county agencies who evaluate Hospital performance have stated that we continue to do an excellent job and we are proud that the community can benefit from this Hospital and from the concern shown by our employees and staff!"

"It is clear that Antelope Valley Hospital is not only alive and well, it is thriving in an economic climate which hasn't provided many favorable conditions of late. The fact that we continue to do very well in this era of financial turmoil and uncertainty is worthy of more than a little pride. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Antelope Valley Healthcare District I am extremely appreciative of the efforts of all who have contributed to this accomplishment and am proud to have been an active part of it. I would obviously like to be reelected to continue in these efforts."

Dr. Bean further states that, though the above statements are made during a reelection campaign, they may also be viewed as a continuing statement of commitment from everyone at Antelope Valley Hospital to meet and surmount the challenges that face the Antelope Valley in obtaining quality medical care for each of us.

Without any embarrassment he asks for your vote and thanks you in advance.