This will be my last campaign entry here at My Exquisite Florida, but I feel strongly enough about this race that I’m using every opportunity to speak to District voters. If you’re not a District voter, my apologies.

The North Lake Hospital District was created by the Florida Legislature and adopted by District voters in 2016. The District provides a means to partially fund health care services delivered by local hospitals and clinics to uninsured people. Governed by an elected unpaid board of six members who reside in the district, the Board determines and adopts a millage rate, capped at one mill, that determines the amount of property tax levied on District residents. This millage determines the total budget available for use in funding care for the uninsured in North Lake County.

·       In 2016, almost 59% of voters in the District voted to keep the hospital tax. This vote demonstrated that here in Lake County, we value health care and believe everyone should have an avenue to access that care. We believe that a healthy community is a productive community, and that all residents benefit when their neighbors are healthy.

·       My experience and commitment to this District is unparalleled in this race. I have earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in health informatics. My professional experience includes a social service background and a decade of experience as a clinical research coordinator, an outcomes analyst, and a project manager for Florida Hospital – AdventHealth. I have worked with volunteers, community partners, and other stakeholders on community-based projects to improve the delivery of healthcare.

·       My opponent, who has a real estate background, is on record questioning the value and transparency of the District. She wants to know who provides services, who receives funds and what funds they have received. When I decided to run for this office, I was easily able to see who provides services, who receives funds, and what funds they have received when I visited the Board’s website. The Board is entirely transparent, with meetings open to the public and notices of meetings, minutes, budgets, requests for funding, audited reports, and much more available to the public by simply visiting the website.

I want to put my experience to work advocating for District residents and protecting the District’s ability to meet the needs of its residents. I’m reaching out to all voters in the District, regardless of party affiliation, because access to adequate healthcare is not a partisan issue. We know that a healthy community is more affordable when health problems are addressed with the right care, at the right time, in the right setting, and a strong Hospital District will ensure that this happens.

Every family deserves access to the kind of care that provides the best health outcomes. Every District resident deserves the best representation possible. My background and experience are the foundation from which I will provide this representation.

I would like to ask you to mark your ballot for me now, if you are voting by mail. You can mark your ballot for me at early voting October 19-31. And of course, you may mark your ballot for me on November 3. And after you have marked your ballot for me in Seat One, please consider voting for Melody Duckins for Seat Five. I hope that you will reach out to me if you would like to know more about me, my candidacy, or the District. Thanks so much for your consideration. 

Here’s my first blog post about the campaign.

Paid for and authorized by Pamela Jennelle, Democrat candidate for North Lake County Hospital District, Seat One