Letters to Editor - General

I appreciate Lee Steinhardt’s writing about the introduction of the new Critical Areas Ordinance as a zoning matter, but I think he is mistaken. Like most communities, San Juan County already has a zoning ordinance that separates various uses from each other; residential, rural farm forest, rural general use urban growth areas, commercial etc.

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Letters to Editor - General

In an editorial, the Islander's editor asks "Why is it OK to have others - as kind, as benevolent, as well-intentioned as they may be - have a say in what services can be made available to you."

This is, with all due respect, a silly question when it comes to health care. First of all, every medical facility in the country limits the services it provides, decisions made by those "others". No hospital provides every service every patient might want. Peace Health is no exception here.

Second, and more important, all sorts of people, well intentioned or not, have a say in what services can be made available to you. Medicare and Medicaid say what services you can receive from them, as does your insurance company if you have private insurance. Your doctor may or may not order a test or procedure you want. Certain services are made illegal by Congress, others by federal

Do you want 20 doses of Oxycontin a day? You can't legally obtain them. Do you want medical marijuana? You only get it if you meet requirements set by other people. Do you want a prescription for an antibiotic if what you have is only the flu? No reputable doctor will give it to you. And on and on. Other people are constantly having a say in what services can be made available to you.

The Inter Island Medical Center did not provide abortion services, but the ACLU didn't sue them. They were permitted the right to decide what services they would offer and what services they would not. It is only because some people have a deep hostility to religion that they deny to Peace Health the same right to decide which services to offer the public that they freely granted to the Inter Island Medical Center.

Christopher Hodgkin

Letters to Editor - General

Dear Editor,

My note today is to share with the San Juan Island community some things I am learning about the Mullis Community Senior Center (MCSC) as I spend a few hours each week volunteering here.

Did you know that we have a senior population of over 2000 people on San Juan Island and at this time only about 500 have made the commitment to become members at the MCSC. Membership is very affordable at $15.00 singles/$25.00 couples per year. This leads me to believe that many folks are missing out on one of the terrific benefits of membership which would be to receive the Senior Signal.

This is an informative monthly newsletter mailed to your home or post office box and contains within a monthly calendar with daily classes, off island trips and transportation, when one can make an appointment for foot care or attend a pancake breakfast (which helps fund the center).

Each month there is a message from the Senior Advisory Committee…these are the movers and shakers who have kept the doors open and the lights at this great facility and all as volunteers!

You will also find a message from Senior Coordinator Curt Van Hyning. He often includes the most current information about insurance, Medicare and Medicaid for seniors as well as insights and short articles that add perspective to our daily lives.

Other features found regularly in the newsletter include the Happy Birthday list…a chance to celebrate the lives of our friends and family members, a lunch menu for the Monday and Thursday lunches where all are welcome starting at 11:45 with a cost of $4.00 for seniors and those under 60 can dine for $6.00.

Services such as Blood Pressure Clinic, Hearing tests, home delivered meals, senior transportation and helpful phone numbers are within the pages too. What a helpful and informative resource the Senior Signal is and a great way to get and stay connected.

I am hopeful you will stop by the Mullis Community Senior Center (MCSC) Monday through Thursday 9 am to 4 pm or on Friday’s from 9 to noon and become a member, get the “Signal” and stay in touch with those you live amongst.

With the warmest intentions!

Jody Price

MCSC Office volunteer

Letters to Editor - General

To the editor:

There are some interesting points made in the reprinted piece about the history of the industrialization of American medicine. However, having been a practising physician, physician manager, and a student both inside and outside of the HMO movement for most of my career prior to coming to Friday Harbor, I can state unequivocally that the article is a gross simplification and biased misrepresentation of what really happened over the past 40 years.

Mark Fishaut MD FAAP

Letters to Editor - General

You have written these comments without even calling me for clarification of the situation. For your readers, I need to explain the details so this situation is not just a one sided opinion of the events as they happened.

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