epcounty.com - Commissioner Precinct 2

El Paso County Commissioner Pct. 2
Veronica Escobar

Chamber endorses plan for children's hospital in EP
By Darren Meritz / El Paso Times
El Paso Times

The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce gave its firm backing to a new children's hospital in El Paso at a members-only meeting Tuesday, passing a resolution in support of a proposed $120 million hospital district bond issue.
After hearing the conclusions of a task force established by the chamber, the governing board voted to support the business plan for the separately licensed children's hospital because of its public health and economic benefits. The Children's Hospital Task Force concluded that the hospital proposal is creative, innovative and feasible.
"Our job as the board is to look at an issue, any issue, that is relevant to the community," said Richard Dayoub, president and chief executive of the chamber. "An issue of this potential impact to our economy, impact to taxpayers, impact to the health care of El Paso -- we believe it was too important not to look at in depth."
In March, the El Paso County Hospital District Board of Managers voted to approve the business plan for the 140-bed children's hospital, which would be located in the 70-acre development of the Medical Center of the Americas.
The County Commissioners Court in August is expected to consider whether to place a referendum on the proposed bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Despite the chamber's support of a publicly financed children's hospital, a statement by Sergio Enriquez, a spokesman for the Sierra Providence Health Network, listed reasons for opposing the county hospital district's initiative.
"We have provided the chamber extensive information pertaining to our position, which is that a children's hospital already exists in El Paso," the statement said. "We encourage the citizens of El Paso to tour The Children's Hospital at Providence and get acquainted with our extensive pediatric services."
Jim Valenti, president and chief executive of the hospital district, said the bond issue for the children's hospital was projected to cost about $30 a year more in taxes for a $100,000 home. He emphasized that the proposed hospital was projected to generate enough revenue to maintain profitability through the first five years of its operation.
If county commissioners approve -- and then voters support -- the referendum, Valenti expects to begin construction on the children's hospital in fall 2008. The hospital would open in summer 2011.
"We're very grateful and delighted that (the chamber) agreed with the business plan for the children's hospital," Valenti said. "If the taxpayer helps us to build it, we'll operate it without taxpayers' dollars."
Darren Meritz may be reached at dmeritz@elpasotimes.com; 546-6127.