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Show PAGE 34 THE ZEPHYRNOVEMBER 1993 Somewhere Left of be their job to indude health care and hospital operations in our county budget for next year. Then, the hospital budget will be one of the items everyone can look at cm the county budget sheet We'll have to give up other things to afford foe hospital because General Fund monies are limited. The County Council has been facing up to these realities since they took office, since they're responsible for paying foe bills. If the amount the Council allocates to the hospital seems too small or too large, we can all come to the budget hearings later this fall and see that the budget is changed. This is the one and only way ordinary dtizens of this area can exert prudent control over the We will be able to look at the way our taxes are being administrators of our money. spent, and can lower one category to pay for another we consider more important We'll have to decide what we're going to give up, so that we can have good health care. Our neighbors who make money in the areas of service foe county provides will not be pleased to have cut backs. We will have to remind some people of the meaning of "public service." The allocation of General Fund monies is one of the hardest jobs the County Council has. They have to listen to everyone's damorings. They have to be prudent as they provide for our health and safety. I hope they learn to be fair to those dtizens who look to the county for basic service in return for their taxes. no-fril- ls MONEY IS NOT REALLY THE PROBLEM; IT'S DEFINITELY NOT THE SOLUTION Our health care problems will not go away just because we try to throw some new tax money THE HOSPITAL TAX? JUST SAY NO. Again this fall, voters will make an important decision in the area of health care. A 1 sales tax increase is up for a vote, the funds collected, to be given directly to the hospital If it passes, foe highest sales tax rate in foe state. I hope voters will reject sales taxes in Moab will rise to this tax increase. Here's a few reasons why. 9, NEW TAXES ARE BAD FOR EVERYONE'S BUSINESS There is no good reason, any more, to add cm more taxes. There may have been a good reason for the first 1 or 2 percent of sales taxes that were enacted. But now that we're at an already outrageous 8 level there is no point in throwing away more of anyone's money taxpayer's or tourist's after all the other millions of dollars collected "on our behalf are being wasted And all it will take is one good dip in foe economy for that extra 1 tax to turn off some of those tourists we depend on for everything. We all need to open our eyes and understand foe realities of our society: e monied interests are supporting this kind of "dedicated" sales tax we're voting on. The idea of a 1 sales tax for hospitals was conceived by legislators and their friendly lobbyists. It is adored by business interests who want to build new hospitals, and sell expensive medical - profit-motivat- ed state-wid- equipment. We must be aware that these folks are not in the business because they want to make us healthier and happier, and they're also not a bit concerned about rising health care costs. Sales tax increases such as this one will only help to increase the costs of health care in Grand County. The resulting medical building construction and new equipment purchases alone will translate into higher hospital and doctor bills. The Hospital Board began to make known their plans this obstetridans they summer. They first wanted a new medical clinic to give to the were trying to entice to Moab. Then they began to talk about foe need for a new hospitaL This kind of tax is also favored by bureaucrats who want all that money just for their own plans. Doctors with six figure salaries love it, too. Remember, the 1 sales tax funds would go directly to the hospital coffers. A couple of questions come to mind: Do you fed the community has control of hospital spending right now? Do you remember how hard was to stop the Road Special Service District from spending the money it got directly from the state even though the people of this county said "No over and over again? Watch where foe money is going. See who is profiting by it high-pric- ed at it. Our most fundamental problem with health care in Grand County is not caused by a lack of funds. Our most fundamental problem is that we as a community have not seen to it that our hospital delivers basic, affordable health care services to all residents. It isn't affordable health care if you need insurance to pay the hospital bill from emergency room treatment of a minor injury. It isn't affordable health care if you have to quit saving that few dollars for a present for foe kids, and cut back on your food bill and on dothing, too until you can pay the doctor bill We have several million dollars coming into the County General Fund coffers. It's our money and it should go to serve our basic needs first. 1 think we can see that everyone gets a basic package of health care benefits from their tax dollars. - ANOTHER REASON: IT JUST ISN'T RIGHT It isn't right for somebody else to pay for our hospital. Not even if tourists. Tourism supports our entire economy. They already pay through foe nose for everything they purchase here. Some people here seem to think the best thing we can do is to soak foe tourists a bit more. They're just there to be taken advantage of, right? After all it's only fair that tourists from Smalltown USA, or from Salt Lake City, or from Germany or France, should pay for foe health care of Grand County residents, right? But somewhere in the back of our minds, I think we know that the increases, the bigger budgets, the bonding and building using taxpayers money and then using tourists' money, the idea that "more money will solve the problem" that it all has to stop. The defeat of the school bond a few weeks ago is dear evidence that Grand County voters have finally reached their limit Their pockets have been turned inside out Not even "for the children" will they give up more of their meager income. I think a lot of taxpayers wish they could call back their "yes" vote an the Courthouse bond last year, and their "yes" vote on the Fire Department bond earlier this year. We know we could have gotten along fine without spending any of that money. - We can make the tough choices to fund our health care needs. We can take care of ourselves. See you at the voting booth. WE CAN HAVE THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT A SALES TAX INCREASE We do not have to accept this sales tax increase to keep our hospital open. Don't let anyone convince you that a "No" vote is a vote against the hospital. A "No" vote on the 1 sales tax does mean you are determined to get our health care system straightened out even though the process is painful We have several new doctors (General Practitioners and Obstetricians) now practicing in hired by foe hospital. There is no reason to panic Moab, in addition to the Money for health care and hospital operations can come from foe Grand County General Fund. We have the County Council's assurances that they support the hospital. 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