League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Dennis W. Chiu Answers Questions Candidate for Director; El Camino Hospital District

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience or training do you have which would help the District meet its goals?

I believe that I am the most qualified candidate running to be a Director on the El Camino Hospital District Board based on the following work experience:

- My experience as Vice President & General Counsel of a Santa Clara County healthcare nonprofit that provides many types of medical and community services, including general healthcare, mental healthcare, a senior center, and substance abuse treatment, provides me a firm foundation to understand the basic services of the Hospital.

- My experience as a Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of two for-profit companies gives me the experience to oversee the business of the Hospital.

- My 12-years of ongoing experience on the Santa Clara County Planning Commission provides me the ability to represent the interests of taxpayers, and build coalitions with existing board members to implement good public policy.

- My experience as a malpractice litigator and as a corporate transactional attorney will assist the Hospital Board to better assess the legal and financial risks of grand jury investigations, LAFCo audits, difficult labor negotiations, and the conflicts of interests when taxpayer's and the Hospital's interests conflict.

2. What is your evaluation of the financial condition of the District?

If I take the question literally, since the Hospital District transfers all of the taxpayer funds, in one way or another, to the Hospital corporation, the financial condition of "the District" (as asked in the question) in terms of cash on hand can only be deemed poor, because it is nonexistent. However, "the District" owns the Hospital buildings and land, which is valuable real property in the heart of Mountain View. So, in terms of assets, "the District" has solid holdings.

If the above question asks for an evaluation of the financial condition of the Hospital, the Hospital is doing well financially. Its bills are being paid, and it has significant financial reserves.

3. In what ways would you collaborate with other governmental entities and community groups to achieve the District's goals?

I am committed to increasing hospital funding for community benefit programs and nonprofits to increase healthcare in the community. I would also ensure continued implementation of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) findings and recommendations that require more hospital accountability and transparency to rebuild the trust and faith of the government agency overseeing the Hospital.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 21, 2012 20:13
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