Discussion: 5 comments so far…

1. By orientalobserver

   5/16/09 at 5:36 a.m.

   Suggest removal

   No way, NIMBY. Let's have the uninsured ill people wander around aimlessly, at random in ALL neighborhoods, spreading even greater misery but in an even-handed manner. Let the poor sick people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, just like we did. What? They don't got boots, either?

2. By steve7952

   5/16/09 at 7:19 a.m.

   Suggest removal

   "It's ok but not in my back yard", comes the cry of a decaying city; another reason we are leaving Las Vegas. It's a cruel, insensitive and a third world mentality city. I wonder how many residents opposed to this measure even voted?

3. By mgawryn

   5/16/09 at 11:20 a.m.

   Suggest removal

   What many don't realize is that the "uninsured" is almost entirely regular middle class folks who have lost jobs in this crazy economy, or just can't afford sky-rocketing medical insurance premiums. Three cheers for those who are trying to help the "us" that may be half of those reading this !!!

4. By peter351

   5/16/09 at 5:36 p.m.

   Suggest removal

   Sad Sad... To the residents, don't you pray that you are your brother's keeper?

   It isn't the residents or the clinicians that I feel most sorry for. It is the struggling single mother or husband who can't afford insurance but desperately wants his children taken care of. To have to read that filth directed at them is shameful.

   I hope Mr. Reid has the courage to do what is right and will remember the people opposing the plan will not be the people who go out and knock on doors on a senatorial candidate's behalf.

   I may not be either

5. By nearby_homeowner

   5/17/09 at 11:12 a.m.

   Suggest removal

   Dr. Jameson's lobbyist is spinning the story to be inflammatory. Here's the real issue: A public park is the wrong location for a free clinic.

   Issue #1: Safety. While Dr. Jameson's public position is that her clinic will treat the "working poor," this group says something very different when you ask them one-on-one, which I did at the meeting last week. No source of income will be required to be a patient at her clinic, so long as you live in Nevada and don't qualify for other health care.
   Homeless folks need medical care too, and they should be able to get it like everyone else. But is a clinic like this right for the park? When you invite close to 16,000 people a year to enter the park for free medical care, everyone who is in the park is in danger. They are endangered by a few of the clinic's patients who will be very small in numbers, but dangerous none the less. While the great majority of people who come to the park for medical treatment will have no bad motives, or plan to hurt anyone, what about seriously mentally ill patients who will come for medical care? What about the drug addicts who will sit in the park and wait for their medical appointments?

   What about the pedophiles who will enter the park to obtain medical care? The clinic is steps away from the swimming pool, which has see-through fencing. It's also close to the playground equipment, which is near to the park's unattended restrooms. School bus stops are located on the sidewalks of the park on both the east and west sides.

   Issue #2: Size. The clinic is too large, both for the park and for the neighborhood. It's expected to treat about 16,000 patients a year.When asked last month why she wouldn't locate her clinic near a hospital where it belonged, instead of the park, Dr. Jameson said "The hospitals don't want us. They are afraid of being overrun." So the clinic belongs in the park, in the middle of a neighborhood, so they will be overrun?

   Issue #3: Notice. How about letting the neighborhood know, and trying to work with us on parking issues, clinic hours, or security? Not once. Neither Dr. Jameson, nor the County, told the neighborhood that a medical clinic was planned for the park until last month,shortly before the County Commission was going to vote on it.

   Issue #5: Money. Dr. Jameson's group is not a fledgling, start-up, not-for-profit that can't rub two nickles together to make it.The group has collected substantial monies, and apparently has some generous supporters. Go up the street from my house. Go around my corner to Tropicana. But save the park. There's a way to get a clinic AND keep the park. Instead of using $420,000 to renovate,she could buy a building. I've been told there are some great deals in town now. Other worthy not-for-profits are paying rent. With the means to use lobbyists, and so much apparent support, why not them?

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