Kenn Fawn for MCHD Trustee

My name is Kenn Fawn. I would like your vote be re-elected to the Montgomery County Hospital District Board of Directors, At-Large Position 2. I was elected to this position in 2006 and would like to continue serving you.

You have already heard that MCHD provides quality healthcare to the indigent of the county in a very cost-effective way. We also have a world class ambulance system that uses cutting edge procedures for maximum patient survivability. The EMS staff is now at full strength and there is a waiting list for applicants.

During my 4 years on the MCHD Board, I have established a proven fiscal conservative voting record and accomplished the following:

Voted for Tax rate reduction every year in office.
Voted to bring EMS pay and benefits in line with area.
Chaired the committee for strategic planning on services.
Initiated separate study to reduce EMS building costs.
Brought strong business approach to district operations.
Championed MCHD support for the return of a Level III Trauma Facility to the county.
Implemented transparent financial reporting procedures.

The board and I have done these things by empowering the healthcare and EMS staffs to initiate cost and advanced life saving activities that benefit the community and results have produced a world class organization. I have has encouraged cooperation with the fire services in communications and other shared facilities that benefit the entire community and reduce costs every since I have been on the board.

Along with 2 other board members, I did not support the construction of a new administration building until the impact of the federal health care bill on MCHD’s role was known.

I am endorsed by community and business leaders throughout the county. I have also been endorsed by the other candidate in the May race, Mathew Pepper.

Prior to being involved with MCHD, I spent 36 years as an engineer and team leader handling multi-million dollar projects for a major chemical company. I also served the Unites States for 35 years in the National Guard and US Army Reserve and retired as a Colonel. I am President of our homeowner’s association.

We have been married for 48 years and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. I was transferred to Texas 36 years ago and we have been Montgomery county residents for 12 years.

I would like to continue serving you and to ensure that MCHD responsibly meets the county’s needs. We do not yet know how the Federal Healthcare bill will effect MCHD. However, I feel that I am the best qualified to work with other board members and the employees of the district to provide cost effective indigent healthcare and an outstanding EMS system for all of Montgomery County.

During my term, MCHD has continued to reduce the tax rate while maintaining a “Best of Class” Emergency Medical System and providing quality healthcare for the legally indigent residents of the county.

MCHD’s primary mission is to pay for health care of the indigent. Our patients receive quality healthcare as measured by national standards. They now have access to over two hundred doctors and most of the hospitals and clinics and pharmacies in the county very similar to what you and I get. For cancer patients, we set up a special fund using the remains of the hospital sale so they will receive treatment here in the county. These are significant changes from the past where there was only one hospital and pharmacy where patients could go.

For you the taxpayer, we have reduced the cost per patient by actively managing treatment programs, increasing the use of generic medications, getting competitive bids on medications, and ensuring claims are valid. Patients receive personalized assistance in using medications and maintaining healthy lifestyle activities. This ensures that the patient receives the maximum treatment benefit from the tax dollar. We have a free drug prescription card offering an average 20% discount that has saved over $0.5 million since inception, which is available to all county residents. The card is accepted countywide.

Our EMS system has grown along with that of the county. We have plans and sites in place to continue meeting your needs. Our EMS provides cutting edge treatment to maximize the survivability of patients. Examples are hypothermic treatment of cardiac patients, which helps prevent brain damage. It is rated number 6 in a national survey. We have reached full staffing levels and have a waiting list of applicants.

The District operates a county wide emergency radio system for our selves and the City of Conroe. We have partnered with the Fire Chiefs Association to provide them reliable emergency radio coverage throughout the county at a low cost that would not have been available with any other system.

On a personal note, I was instrumental in making MCHD’s finances transparent and getting cash back through our credit card purchases. Our board briefing information is in electronic format and can be accessed by anyone in the county. I pushed to get the trauma centers we now have in Montgomery County. I have insisted that expenditures be analyzed and meet sound business objectives.

I would like to continue serving you and to ensure that MCHD grows responsibly with the county. I believe we can further reduce costs by using technology to leverage our staff. I will work to improve the turnaround time of our ambulances so they will be back in service faster to provide better coverage at lower cost. I look to working with other board members and the employees of the district to provide cost effective indigent healthcare and an outstanding EMS system for all of Montgomery County.

Thank you for visiting my site and I hope to earn your vote in June.