A new idea for health care

EDITOR,

Universal health care is not only a tough equation, it’s flat-out complicated. I work in the health care industry, and stepping back and looking at what our best and brightest have to decipher is mind-boggling. And with the economy as it is, how are we going to do this?

The answer may be in community work for individuals wanting health care, thus opening the nonprofit sector with a rewards program. Let’s look at what our communities need the most —a better education system, jobs and health care. Can we throw all three into the equation and see what comes of it? I believe we can.

Have a think tank come up with 15 to 20 of the most important jobs we all need, and then incorporate those jobs as a community service that will ultimately give you a down payment on your health care. For example: Create a network of high school and college tutors who can volunteer at every school district in our nation, and in return, the tutors get a very nice discount on their health care.

Our younger children can do other valuable things in our communities. They can clean up our streets, do car washes, help the elderly, etc. Obviously, the elderly, the handicapped and the sick won’t be able to do as much as the rest of us, but that’s the great thing about this program — we the people pick up the slack.

Every volunteer will get hands-on training in their field, so they should be at the top of the hiring list when they’re ready to make it their profession. This model can be used with nurses, doctors, sales reps, home care, translators, babysitters, etc.

This program is not the savior of health care. It’s one example that I believe is cost-effective. The long-term benefits are out of this world, and it has substance — it is worth something.

It might also expose the lazy folks who have been living off the system on our tax dollars. They might actually have to work a little if they want the reward of health care. If this model is used in our city, it will work.

Mitch Alvarez, Patterson

Glad initiative is moving along

EDITOR,

I am pleased to hear that the Patterson Citizens for Expanded 21st Century Healthcare are one step closer to bringing more health services to our community. The initiative that the group submitted to the city will allow the Del Puerto Health Center to move to a much larger facility that will increase the number of doctors and specialists available to us.

Some of you may know that my beloved mother passed away almost three years ago from complications of end-stage kidney failure and was receiving three treatments of dialysis each week to survive. People don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the availability of health care until they actually need it. However, when you do need it, it becomes the only thing that you think about.

Scheduling visits and appointment times can be challenging, especially when you have to think about traveling to Modesto, Turlock or somewhere farther to obtain needed treatment. This initiative will bring more specialists and increased services right here to Patterson.

I hope to have a dialysis center in Patterson one day to support the health and well-being of those who require this life-preserving treatment. Dealing with health problems can be extremely difficult, and anything that makes that easier is something we should do.

Thank you to all of the local citizens who are helping move this project forward. It is the right thing for developing a more healthy community.

Deborah Parr Noblitt, Patterson

Patterson must progress with Walmart

EDITOR,

I just wanted to say I totally agree with this newspaper on the city not doing a very good job in making it known to the public that there was going to be a meeting about the Walmart project (“City should get the word out on Walmart process,” Our Voice, Oct. 15 Irrigator). How are we supposed voice our opinions if we don’t know when these meetings take place?

I personally would love to have a Walmart in town. It would be so convenient to not have to drive to Turlock with all my kids anymore. Plus, it would generate some good competition with all the expensive stores we have in town right now, which take advantage of us because there’s no one to compete with.

We need more shopping options in this little town. I know lots of people want Patterson to stay small and quiet like it has been, but we also need to progress. This town needs to provide its residents with what we need, and we shouldn’t have to drive 20 miles from here to get it.

If this project doesn’t go through, I will consider moving from Patterson. I have been here too long, and I see nothing good in the near future. This town is so boring for me and my kids. There’s nothing to do — everything is a commute from here. Other than your local fast food restaurants and Save Mart and two drug stores, there’s nothing to entertain our families.

It’s so sad, but I believe the City Council needs to push for more shopping and development in this town — otherwise, it’s always going to be the same little old town. We moved to from the bay to save some money.

Paulina Garcia, Patterson