League of Women Voters of California
Santa Clara County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
	Laura E. Ferrer Answers Questions Candidate for Director; El Camino Hospital District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Discuss how the Master Plan for El Camino Hospital meets the future health care needs in our community.

I requested a copy of the hospital's Master Plan during my orientation visit this month with hospital administration. I was informed that the Master Plan has not been completed, and is still confidential as a work in progress. Therefore, I cannot respond to this question with any degree of certainty. If the Master Plan is still in development after the election, I will work to ensure that it addresses the public's increasing interest in sensible alternative treatments and medicine. I believe, based on my research, that the hospital has recovered from its troubles during '93 through '96, and is headed in the right direction. I will be diligent to ensure that it remains strong and responsive to its citizen-owners.

2. Please discuss the financial condition of El Camino Hospital and how this affects its bond rating.

The hospital's current financial condition supports a top bond rating. This is important to protect because the upcoming reconstruction of the tower to meet newer, more stringent earthquake safety standards will require financing above and beyond the available cash reserves that are currently on hand for that purpose. While there is probably no way to avoid needing extra money beyond cash reserves and donations or contributions from the private sector, I believe that the hospital has demonstrated a strong enough financial foundation that a properly done bond issue, adequate to cover the deficit, is the sensible path. Such a bond issue, properly structured, should be retirable out of operating revenue surpluses as the bond payments come due. I will be vigilant toward avoiding seeking any tax-sourced funding.

3. Is El Camino Hospital current in its standards of medical staffing; e.g. the ration of RNs to patients? Is housekeeping staffing adequate as back up for nursing and admissions from ER? What do you recommend to improve the staffing situation, if needed?

I understand that the hospital meets or exceeds commonly-accepted staffing standards. There remain unfilled positions to which we need to apply intelligent and creative recruiting and retention methods. I will focus on finding qualified people both statewide and nationally from among US citizens, and I will resist any attempt to resort to H1B-visa hiring in the absence of convincing proof that there are no qualified, hirable American citizens available. I believe that the hospital, like any good employer, needs to be competitive in its compensation and appreciation of its existing and future indispensable talent. Dedicated people who will properly serve the health care needs of the district, and in the process contribute favorably to the hospital's financial success, must be adequately rewarded so they can live comfortably in the community they serve.