Kudos for Jackson Hospital

10/30/08
By Ernie Padgett

If there is a basic quality of life issue that all of us are, or should be, very concerned about, it is health care.
I retired from county government about a year ago and my wife and I moved back to Jackson County. My comments and opinions in this writing will be centered on the quality of care at Jackson Hospital. Actually, I started my life’s journey when I was born at the old Jackson Hospital almost 61 years ago, in 1947.
I and/or members of my family have had several experiences at our hospital during this past year. My wife was in the emergency room about 9 months ago with a severe and painful ear infection. The quality of care was Excellent.
My 80 year old mother-in-law had knee replacement surgery at Jackson Hospital 2 weeks ago and is currently going through her re-hab there as well. The quality of care is Excellent.
I had to go to the emergency room 2 nights ago with a very painful kidney stone…….that I am currently in the process of passing (Ouch!) . Again, the quality of care that I received…..Excellent.
We all know that it depends on with whom you talk, relative to the quality of care at Jackson Hospital. Some people think bigger is better (such as Dothan or Tallahassee hospitals). In some cases, that may be true. I am strictly drawing my conclusions based on our recent experiences at Jackson Hospital.
Without exception, the various staff members, nurses and other employees that we have encountered have been professional and capable along with just good old hometown friendliness. I’m sure there may be some exceptions to this. I just haven’t experienced it thus far. This brings me to some opinions and editorial type comments.
The issue of building a new hospital with a voted sales tax was being considered when we first moved here. The sales tax was defeated. My wife and I voted for it.
I’ve had some experience with sales tax votes for large capital projects over the years. In 1988 my self and Sheriff McDaniel spent months holding meetings and talking to groups throughout the county about the need to build a new jail. The local newspaper called it the "Johnnie and Ernie" show. We simply explained the problems with the old jail along with the options we had. Citizens of Jackson County voted in favor of a one cent tax by a margin of 2 to 1. The new jail was built and paid for in about 4 years.
When I was hired as County Administrator in Santa Rosa County a few years later, the same jail situation presented itself. We again slowed down the timetable and spent ample time explaining to the citizens the problem and the options. A one cent sales tax there passed by a large margin, and once again, a new jail was built and paid for in just a few years.
Granted, my understanding of what all went on last year relative to the hospital sales tax vote is limited. That being said, I don’t think the problem and the options were clearly presented and explained to the public. When you ask voters to tax themselves, they have to know all the details of what the problem is and why a certain option is being considered.
I hope this issue will be presented again in the near future. I also hope that the people involved will then take all the time that is needed to explain to citizens why we should build a new hospital and why a sales tax is the best way to pay for one.
Things to explain: The size, the cost, the location. Details and explanations of each must be carefully prepared and presented. Ample citizen input and recommendations must be an integral part of the project.
This county needs a new hospital. The sales tax is, by far, the best way to pay for it. I must restate, the staff at Jackson Hospital is doing its part to provide great health care to our citizens. I thank them all!