Change Indiana Code: 16-22-2-1, Resulting in County Hospital Boards Being ELECTED and NOT APPOINTED

I, Angela Mead, present this petition on behalf of the citizens of the State of Indiana.

The stability of citizens health care at a county government level, is at the mercy of political appointments, and all too often political favors.

County Commissioners appointing county hospital boards is a practice that is outdated and must to be changed. It is time for the citizens of local communities to have the power to elect all county hospital board members.

The fiscal business and well being of a county hospital affects every person living within its community. County hospital boards are responsible for the fiscal stability of county hospitals, and many other decisions affecting its community with regards to healthcare. Therefore, a county hospital board is responsible to the entire population of its county. Because it is responsible to the entire population, it should be elected by the voters of the county in which each hospital resides.

As concerned citizens of this state, we ask that Indiana Code: 16-22-2-1 be changed; so that we the community may elect County Hospital Board members.