Dallas Area Interfaith has reviewed the HMA
report. This report supports the recommendations, which we initially made to
you and the Board of Managers in the spring of 2004.
We continue to hold that the Parkland Health and Hospital
System must provide a continuity of care for patients that is accessible,
accountable, of high quality, and low-cost to those in Dallas
County who are unable or less able
to pay for healthcare.
We believe that our continuing research, conversations in
the community, and now, much of the HMA
report provide specific direction to you and the Board of Managers of the
Hospital District on resolving the current crisis.
We believe that the following actions are necessary by this
Court to resolve the immediate and long-term problems facing the people served
by the Parkland Health and Hospital System.
- Agree
that this Court must be accountable for the recommendations made in the HMA
report.
- Insist
that the Board of Managers demand accountability for not only financial,
but also administrative-clinical metrics from the system for which they
are responsible.
- Assure,
as this process proceeds that open and public meetings continue.
- Quickly,
find and secure alternative sources of revenue to fix a
2004-2005 budget, which dangerously under serves the community both now
and in the future.
- Encourage
and facilitate all parties involved to secure Federal matching funds, and
mandated increases in Medicaid payment rate for FQHC clinics by taking
prompt, organized actions in Austin and Washington,
D.C.
- Vigilantly
and vigorously oppose tax cuts from Austin,
which will impede the
ability of our County
Commissioners to promote and
protect the viability of our county hospital system.
- Take
effective action to ensure that surrounding counties pay their “fair
share” for their indigent and uninsured residents who utilize Parkland
by implementing a regional plan.
One of our committee members, Tencha
Rodriguez, who is the director of the Grand Prairie Wellness Center, a referral
agency to Parkland, on the campus of the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a congregational member of DAI, has
stated this issue, the best.
“The welfare of the patient must be the number one priority
in the healthcare system.
It is essential that timely initial and follow-up care be
provided, as part of an overall treatment plan that provides for continuity.
Patients need to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.”