By ROBERT McBETH

Last summer, the Board of Commissioners of Valley Medical Center took a huge step in advancing medical services to the residents of South King County by entering into an alliance with UW Medicine. The Strategic Alliance Agreement was designed to enhance access to specialty care, increase the availability of specialty medical services locally, and continue the mission of both institutions of improving the overall health of the community. This was a huge win for healthcare coverage for our citizens.

The voting for this Alliance was not unanimous, despite its lofty and honorable goals. Commissioners Anthony Hemstad and Dr. Aaron Heide voted against this proposal, objecting to the loss of personal power that resulted in the transfer of management responsibility for Valley Medical Center to a new 13-member board, which they continue to be a part of. Few people agree with their position that the community somehow lost its voice in the process. The public widely participated in the process leading up to the alliance and the community was overwhelmingly in support of it.

In this past election, the majority power of the VMC Board of Commissioners has shifted. In the two meetings that have been held thus far, the new majority has signaled its intention to undo the Alliance with a series of resolutions that have replaced the Board’s legal counsel with representatives from another law firm, proposed amendments to the Bylaws that would undo all of the changes that were made to comply with the terms of the Alliance, and have hired [former Senator and Supreme Court Justice] Phil Talmadge as independent counsel to examine the legality of the Alliance.  While I have the greatest respect for Phil Talmadge, it seems to me that these moves have only one purpose – to find a way to undo the Alliance altogether.

It is unfortunate that three members of the Board of Commissioners, Hemstad, Heide and newly elected commissioner Paul Joos, have clear sights on dismantling the Strategic Alliance Agreement. They show their willingness to ignore all of the medical benefits this alliance provides to local residents in order to fulfill their personal goals of attacking the hospital administration.

The Alliance with the University of Washington has tremendous promise for future healthcare to South County residents and will greatly enhance the quality of patient care in our community. The three commissioners are much more concerned over their perceived loss of personal power, and their attempts to undermine the Alliance and all it has to offer to our residents are absolutely the wrong move. Long before the alliance was formed, Hemstad and Heidi have shown absolutely no interest in exploring ways to improve healthcare services for the public and have concentrated all of their efforts on criticizing the hospital administration.

I have no interest in assisting these three commissioners in their personal crusade. The notion that Valley Medical Center’s relationship with UW Medicine does not represent the “will of the people” is nonsense and purely political.  Commissioners Hemstad, Heidi and Joos need to remember that they were elected by the residents to make decisions that protect and improve healthcare for our residents.

I cannot participate with these three commissioners in their efforts to undo the Alliance that provides access for specialized care for our citizens, and have resigned as Parliamentarian to the Board of Commissioners, effective immediately.

Robert McBeth, a lawyer and former District Court judge, served as parliamentarian for the Public Hospital District No. 1 Board of Commissioners.

(Editor’s note: The Renton Reporter wrote about Robert McBeth’s resignation in the Feb. 10, 2012, edition.)