Poll: District mishandled Petaluma hospital talks

Respondents in an online Argus-Courier poll said the Petaluma Health Care District has not properly handled negotiations over a new operator for Petaluma Valley Hospital. The district recently relaunched the process to find a new operator after current operator St. Joseph Health pulled out of talks.

Here are some comments:

“A Kaiser Hospital would be nice.”

“Petaluma Healthcare District has completely failed Petaluma residents with their indecisiveness and slow paced action. There was more than ample time for them to request proposals, select a bidder, complete a contract and begin a transition if needed to a new managing organization. But they started too late, got too greedy and botched the entire thing and now they are shaming St Joseph Health in the media. As a citizen and taxpayer, I am horrified by PHD’s incompetence.”

“St. Joseph was trying to prevent the physicians at PVH from performing tubal ligations - the equivalent of a vasectomy, for women. That is a needed service in our community, and should not be taken away. If St. Joseph wasn’t willing to budge on that, then I am glad we are looking to another organization.”

“The church’s view on the procedures in question should be left up to the patients and their doctors. St. Joseph Health should be that about healthcare, not religion.”

“They secretly conducted all the dealings, then they fell apart. Is there anyone in government that knows how to negotiate?”

“We do not need a new operator. PVH was, still is, a great hospital for a community of this size. Who knows what we will get now.”

“The Board and executive director are arrogant, and they live in their own little bubble.”