Director, Mt Diablo Health Care District

By Linda A. "Stephenson" (Jack) Stephenson

Health care is a top concern of citizens in the Mt Diablo Health Care District. I would work hard to see that the funds and resources of the Board work to increase the health and wellbeing of the district population.

Mt. Diablo Health District is a board funded by the taxpayers of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Pacheco, and Concord. These dollars are set aside for this community.

There is controversy over whether this board should continue since Mt. Diablo Hospital is now owned by John Muir. The tax money will not disappear even though groups oppose the Board. If the Board stops, the money will return to the general funds for all of Contra Costa County, and not used soley for our district

I believe that the Board does serve a purpose. Without this board, there will no longer be an organization watching and advocating for a fully equiped, multi-level medical facility to continue within in our district. John Muir owns the hospital but has obligations to our area. I do not want to see services leaving our area and going to Walnut Creek. I will advocate strongly to keep those serves within our community.

There are many health resources within the Mt. Diablo Health Care District. I would like to see these resources linked and working collectively to increased information, services, and awareness of programs available to our community. The Board can make that a priority and I will work to achieve that goal.

There are many barriers we face when trying to access health care. Whether the barrier is transportation, communication or long waits for care, I would like to see the Board work with citizens and health care provider to address these concerns and work to make health care accessible.

If I am elected to the Mt. Diablo Health Care District, I will work hard to these ends. I will work without stipend or other forms of payment to keep the board working in the best interest of our community health.