Setting up the Peninsula Health Care District for a successful future with continued offerings of important health services is key for the incumbent members of the Board of Directors, while one challenger is interested in either disbanding or consolidating the district with the Sequoia Healthcare District.

Current board Chair Larry Cappel was elected to his first full term in 2010. Director Helen Galligan was elected to her first full term in 2006, while Director Dennis Zell was appointed in December 2013 to replace Joe Goethals, who was elected to the San Mateo City Council. Doug Radtke of Millbrae is running on a platform of combining the district with the Sequoia Healthcare District. Cappel, Galligan and Zell visited the Daily Journal office this week for an endorsement interview, while Radtke did the interview by phone. The incumbents were concerned about making sure the district continues to provide services not provided by hospitals, while Radtke simply wants a unified health care district along the Peninsula.

Interviews were held last week to help the Daily Journal determine endorsements. To allow each candidate a forum to express their opinions on the issues discussed, candidates were given the same questions and asked to answer each in around 50 words. Answers are arranged alphabetically by the candidates last name.

What, if anything, would you have liked to have changed in the agreement with Sutter to both operate and construct the new hospital?

Cappel: It would have been good to have more oversight over certain clinical services, what could be permitted on district leased-land and the district could have received more land back. However, the agreement was done to ensure district residents had access to comprehensive hospital services. Residents have one of the nations finest hospitals without costing taxpayers.

Galligan: More input into decisions made in reducing/outsourcing services not identified as core services. An example was outsourcing dialysis. Dialysis is an important part of medical care in acute care settings. Sutter did not consult the district with this decision and, like the public, we found out in a news release.

Radtke: US GAAP depreciates commercial property at 39 years. The book value of the hospital at the end of 50 years will be zero. An insurance policy to hedge risk of Sutter defaulting could be a better alternative. The agreement justifies the existence of PHCD by fiat and not logic.

Zell: Had I been on the board when the agreement was negotiated, I would have negotiated for market rent, and required the tenant to surrender back more land where the old hospital previously stood. Currently, that valuable land is being wasted as a surface parking lot.

Is there a decision the board made in the last four years you would have liked to have seen made differently?

Cappel: I believe the board has made excellent decisions due to extensive commitment and research by all board members, staff and consultants. The board clearly understands the mission of the district and always has made decisions within the parameters of that mission and legal mandates.

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Peninsula Health Care District candidates respond to district issues