Candidates for elected city offices were all asked the same questions by the Bexar County Medical Society and have submitted answers to those questions as shown below.
This information is provided as a service from the Bexar County Medical Society, but is not an endorsement.
BCMS does not make endorsements of any candidates for office nor of elected officials.
Rey GuevaraCity Council District 42017 Mayoral/City Council Candidates Health Care Questions
1. Despite affecting everyone in this community, "community
health and wellness" has not been a big priority at City Hall. "Community health and wellness" had one third
of the ranking that "streets" received in community
input via SpeakUPSanAntonio. Yet it impacts our well being, workforce, economic
development and the prosperity of San Antonio.
What health-related areas do you think deserve
increased attention, priority, and local resources, and, if elected, how would
you elevate the discussion of these health issues at City Hall and lead
effective action to improve health and healthcare in our community?
I’m very
concerned about nutrition and nutrition awareness in San Antonio, and in District
4 particularly. Over the past few months, while considering what my role as
city councilman would mean for my district, I’ve
thought of ways to create awareness of
nutrition options, goals, and resources on San Antonio’s west side.
I would like to see city-wide programs
in schools which
motivate young people to
evaluate the food they eat more closely.
I want to
motivate the healthcare industry in San Antonio because it is, obviously, an
important part of our identity as a city and because it reflects and provides
the most basic needs for our neighbors. I look forward to working with
the medical community to have a stronger presence in our low income
communities, and, while
I am considered the anti-spending candidate in my district, I have always tried to make a point of saying that
certain areas require tax-payer funding in order to uphold the dignity of the
human person. I consider
healthcare to be a necessity. I
am not opposed to spending tax dollars
to expand health services in the city.
2. Bexar County is the primary source of funding for indigent health care in our area through the Bexar County Hospital District and University Health System. How would you, if elected, promote cooperative efforts to increase services and access to care for the citizens of San Antonio?
I am strongly opposed to increasing the tax burden
on San Antonians. However, I hope to identify and curb spending enough in the city that more tax
dollars are available to spend on important things in the city. In general, I
support using existing tax revenue to assist the medical industry in awareness
campaigns and outreach in the city. I am certainly open to more specific ideas
and look forward to working
together with medical
professions to implement
them.
3. The
disparity of health care between our poorest and wealthiest zip codes/districts
is quite striking (Bexar County Health Collaborative 2016 report). How would you, if elected, reduce health disparities and improve health
outcomes for our lower income
communities/citizens?
Again, I think there is a need for a
committed effort in raising awareness of healthcare services
in low income communities. I’m a child
of the west side. I grew up
lower-middle class. I still don’t
know a lot about my healthcare needs and how to address them for myself!
This is why I frequently bring up the idea of awareness campaigns
in schools. Kids should grow up with an understanding of how to address medical
needs in their communities.
I’ve also
been vocal about the need for new, modern healthcare facilities on the south
side of San Antonio. I am hopeful that city council, with or without me, can work with
the private sector to build a new hospital on the south side and motivate
medical professionals to invest in the south side.
4.
San Antonio
has a high incidence of obesity and diabetes
mellitus and has been ranked as high as second in the nation for obesity in
recent years. Past city efforts attempting to improve these rates, such as
trying to reduce the prevalence of sugary drinks in our community, have been
met with controversy. What ideas do you have to reduce the incidence of
these chronic health issues?
I looked at my own issues with weight and identified my lack of knowledge of proper nutrition growing up as an
issue. I also identified my lack of access to healthy foods as an issue. I grew up with these
two problems and it formed
a man who has no clue how to
be healthy.
I am sold on at least one idea, which you have
probably gathered by now. The government of San Antonio needs to work
aggressively with school districts and local leaders on programs that
will address these issues for the next
generation of San Antonians. Furthermore, we need to invest in grocery
stores and places where
communities on the south side can have access to healthy food alternatives.
5.
According to the CDC, child abuse
and neglect are serious
problems that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. The goal in
preventing child abuse and neglect is clear — to stop this violence from happening in the first place. What local policies, resources and efforts will
you support to promote
safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all
children and families?
I want to empower existing organizations in
schools, churches, and other community programs that promote healthy
values in our youth. I want to make law enforcement and social services
accessible options for families and I want to reduce the stigma
associated with seeking
these services. I also want to help mental health services have a presence
in low income areas and, again, reduce
the stigma associated with
seeking those services. I consider myself
a young, modern and progressive man who isn’t tied to the prejudices of older generations, and even I caught myself looking
down on mental
health services when
I first sought treatment for my depression.
The only way we normalize mental health care is to make a point of discussing it in public. As a person with diagnosed
depression and as a person with family members who live with mental health
issues, I believe I am a strong voice for mental health care. I advocate for it
in my personal life, and I will advocate for it in San Antonio
as city councilman.
