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.
Will McLeod,
Candidate for mayor
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.
Will McLeod,
Candidate for mayor
2017
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?
First
of all, fixing our infrastructure is important, because without sidewalk
accessibility, people often are discouraged from walking, and instead drive
their automobiles. Even vegans can be obese, so we need to encourage walking
throughout the city. Bus stops can be consolidated to speed up public
transportation and encourage walking. But mandates or taxes on certain
foods or beverages are regressive, not successful, and shouldn't be
instituted.
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?
The discussion starts with the legislature up in Washington,
D.C. to expand Medicare QMB program to include all persons who are currently
receiving Social Security Disability Income, and all that has to be done is
raise the maximum allowable income to receive QMB to reflect the current Social
Security benefit amount plus the SGA limit (which is $1,170 a month for non
blind individuals and $1,950 for blind individuals)
So
the co pay and premiums are paid for at the State level. For SSI,
they already qualify for this service, because of their income limits.
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?
Expanding
eligibility for Medicare QMB will close that gap. People cannot see
doctors because they cannot afford the co pay. When we expand the
eligibility for Medicare QMB more people will see their doctor as it will
become much more affordable.
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
support walking and physical education, as exercise is the fastest way to
burn calories. Government has not business in restricting consumer
choices of sugary drinks. That practice is as frowned upon as the British trying
to tax tea. As someone who drink chocolate milk had chocolate cake for lunch in
5th grade, and ate a chicken, or steak during dinner, I was skinny for my age.
Because I was physically active. Since the population is 60 percent
Hispanic and we have a lot of restaurants serving Mexican food, it is very
fattening so the question I have to the people who think of taxing food or
drinks to curb "obesity" is should we be mandating Japanese food
because in Okinawa, Japan people are thin and live longer?
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?
First of all, Child Protective Services should hire people that can do the job with passing a background check and on the job training, college or university schooling should not be required. Child Protective Services was trying to do just that, but according to some career politicians with a hidden agenda, that wasn't good enough despite the staff shortages. We need to have the school districts be more involved with the parents of minor children, and that will have to be taken place at each independent school district around San Antonio. As Mayor, I would have our new police chief that I will bring to the city, handle truancy issues and hold the parents that are not providing the parental guidance for their children accountable. Our next police chief will not be there for photo ops cheering his defiance of enforcing the laws of the City of San Antonio but enforce his job, hold SAPD accountable, and provide monthly status reports to the city council. Also, the $1 million dollar playground that Taylor and Nirenburg voted for next to Joe's Volcano will be torn down protecting children from child predators. We have to protect the children from sex offenders and after what happened in Rockville, Maryland last month we need to be enforcing our Immigration laws. San Antonio will not be a sanctuary city.
