Sylvia Cavazos has it all wrong when she blames politicking for the groundswell of opposition to Valley Medical feeding at the public trough. I’m no enemy of Don Jacobson and no great fan of Pam Roach, but this time the senator has an idea that makes sense. Far from “interjecting” herself, she is doing just what I wish the legislators in my district would do — acting in the interest of the taxpayers she represents.

I am a lifetime member of Group Health and wouldn’t lose that excellent service for anything. But because I live in the older part of Newcastle, this year I will pay $222.74 to support a hospital I never use. Do I think that’s unfair? You betcha!

If we’re all helping each other with medical costs, why doesn’t my provider receive public funds? If this is a regional service, why do people a few blocks away in the newer part of Newcastle not have to pitch in, too?

Public hospital districts were formed back in 1945 to ensure that medical service was available in rural areas — which this then was. But the era of horse pastures and barns are long gone — and so should the hospital district concept be. My civic leaders keep telling me that we live in an “urban village.” I say, let’s start acting like it by doing away with Hospital District #1.

The vast majority of hospitals in our county get by just fine without tax revenues and so should Valley Medical. If they are as good an outfit as their advertising (paid for with my money) says, they shouldn’t have any trouble attracting enough patients to meet expenses. Meanwhile, I can put my limited resources where I get my care.

Now what part of that doesn’t make sense?

Susan Beverly

Newcastle