I recently attended the Aug. 28, Public Hospital District meeting.

As noted in the press, this meeting included a contentious comment period during discussion of the (attorney general) opinion requiring hospital districts to provide a full range of women’s reproductive health services. I believe this to be a critical issue facing the PHD board. As such, I addressed the board and the public with the following comments.

First, I acknowledged that I am a candidate for the PHD board and as a former county council member I could feel the board’s pain being in the “hot seat.”

That said, I noted that this board oversees one of the best Emergency Medical Services in the country. In addition, I acknowledged that this board did find a solution to our medical center crisis. Not everyone is currently happy with that outcome, but the board did accomplish something important for our community.

I think what we all want is the best medical care we can get. But what concerns me, and many in our community, is the prospect of having religion play a role in our medical health care decision-making.

Regarding women’s reproductive health, we need to know the range of services currently being provided (the board was unsure on this when asked) and then figure out how to provide what isn’t being currently provided. I am also concerned about the increased cost of essential medical services for everyone.

It is my belief that the AG opinion is likely to be challenged and could go all the way to the Supreme Court. Regardless, we need to decide how best to move forward to provide the medical services needed in our community.

Something I neglected to say at the meeting I’ll add here: The PHD needs to act in full compliance with State law. My website is howardrosenfeld.com.

Howard “Howie” Rosenfeld, Friday Harbor