georgefearing.com

Hastings ill-equipped to get job done


Central Washington’s Democratic Congressional candidate George Fearing announces his opposition to any legislation or regulation that would prohibit Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement to physician-owned facilities, which include the Wenatchee Valley Clinic.

Fearing notes the unfairness and irrationality of allowing reimbursement to a facility owned by a large for-profit corporation, headquartered in another state, while denying reimbursement to a facility owned by local medical practitioners. The federal government should encourage local ownership of health care facilities.

“We are in absolute agreement on this issue,” noted Fearing. “The question is who will work better in the Democratic Congress to ensure it stays protected.”

Hastings has attempted to protect the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center for months, but has been unable to pass any legislation to help the clinic.

Alternatively, Senator Patty Murray, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Senate Democratic leadership, has taken steps to ensure the clinic remains open. She secured a special dispensation to help Wenatchee Valley Medical Center. This bill recently passed in the Senate, and will come up soon in the House.

On June 8th, the New York Times reported that Senator Murray’s assistance was essential to protect the hospital. Without the Senior Senator from Washington’s help, the hospital may have been forced to either close its doors or sell 60 percent of its stock.

“The real issue here is who can get results for Central Washington,” commented George Fearing. “Mr. Hastings has been working on this issue for a long time and has gotten nothing accomplished. Working with the Democratic Congress and our strong Senators, I know we can protect the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center for a long time.”