Imagine Greater Tucson 2010-11 Phase I Community Conversation and Survey Statements Related to Access to quality, affordable, health care

1	Access to affordable healthcare
2	Access to university/colleges, hospitals, parks, events, lectures, classes, shows, theatre and museums.
3	Affordable health care
4	Affordable healthcare at El Rio/St. Elizabeth (they are facing funding challenges) = lack of awareness
5	Again, supports a healthy lifestyle but offers a wide range of choice on activities (both outdoor physical and indoor mental stimulation through museums, etc.) that is not available anywhere else in this country.
6	As I age and need medical facilities I am noticing the location and how many facilities are available to the community.
7	Availability of medical facilities
8	Cardiac needs limits accessibility or those who live here
9	Cheaper to go to Mexico for prescriptions, due to costs
10	Food deserts and fast food gluts in the area, where the population has no access to healthy foods. Drachman has a map of food deserts
11	For my life to be in balance, I need time in nature and the access to mountains and desert preserves makes Tucson an ideal location for me.
12	Health facilities available
13	High quality of health care available
14	Housing, health, food stamps and not available/coordinated for individuals entering our community
15	I am now and elder and am partially disabled. Being low income I cannot afford taxis. I do not go anyplace now except to medical appointments and grocery shopping because of a lack of transportation. I am cut off from festivals, artistic events, concerts, etc. because I can not get there. We need small SUV's for door-to-door transportation. The Sun Van is okay, but you have to wait too long if you don't know your exact departure time.
16	I am older, so it is important to me to have good health facilities available.
17	I am retired and enjoy working with others for a common goal. This affords me an opportunity to be socially creative and express my self.
18	I can find serenity and peace from the realities of my daily job and life in these easily accessible places. The most lovely of places is a 20 minute drive from my house. Tucson is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains and deserts I have ever traveled to - they are in my 'backyard'.
19	I feel that my health is better here and that the warmer winters contribute to a lower cost of living in Tucson than other places in the U.S.
20	I have access to non GM food.
21	I know people who have declined and are at risk and put others at risk due to lack of access to appropriate medications
22	I love the ease of access to a healthy lifestyle.
23	I want to know that I have access to good physicians when I need them. This is especially true of trauma care and internal medicine/family practitioner.
24	I would like every person in the city to feel safe and cared for: every child should get a good education, and every person should have access to affordable, quality health care; a safe place to live; food security; and the opportunity for regular (preferably meaningful, useful) work.
25	If I need a doctor or a mechanic or a good theatre show or a great bank or lots of access to tight knit groups it is all here in Tucson.
26	If there is one thing that could be changed that seems to me that would have a dramatic effect it is noise. So many studies out there are suggesting the high impact on all levels of health, physical, emotional and mental with regard to noise levels. Traffic noise, helicopter noise, the awful noise the airbase generates with those jets flying so low over the city! Then there are the ever increasing barking dogs, wow, I can't even take a walk on any street in my neighborhood without being accosted by multiple teams of barking dogs! And gunshots resound in the neighborhood at least 2-5 times per month depending on the season. When the suicide lanes were still in place on Grant every day at the same time morning and evening there would be the sound of blaring horns honking at people that would be in the wrong lane, we always knew what time it was when they started. It's nice to have that ended. To be surrounded by beauty only to have it so deeply compromised by foul sound is to lose a precious aspect of what the desert has provided for centuries, a quiet place to reflect and compose one's self to that which stretches beyond one's self. There is no need for the jets to fly so low with all that surrounding desert and I personally question the expense of helicopters for tracking down someone that has stolen a stereo. We could do better and I'm hoping we do.
27	Improve access to family planning, birth control
28	Improve access to medical care.
29	Intellectual community and cultural community available, advanced medical care, research library, campus resources.
30	It's easier to be healthy when this value is reflected in the community. Everyone does yoga, cycles or hikes and healthy food is easily available.
31	It's important to have good medical care available and the university
32	Lack of border control has severely impacted funds & services for legal residents. It causes higher taxes to pay for services to illegals, and it depresses our wages. Illegals clog hospitals and overwhelm health care services. Our children are short-changed on education. The morgue has refrigerated trailers full of bodies; again all costs borne by residents for investigation of death, storage & ultimate disposal.
33	Many Social service clubs in the community helps give a number of community a better hope. Like the Lions, for $65 dollars you can get an Exam and eye glasses. Clubs contribute to families whom can not afford glasses. Helping people with their vision needs is a good service.
34	Math, reading etc. are vitally important, but so is taking care of the one body we have. Every district should have to teach Health -- doing so keeps students healthier which ultimately contributes productive members to society and lowers health care costs.
35	Medical services available
36	My family has health issues that make access to quality health care very important to us.
37	Pre-natal and minor child health affects education and trickles down - availability of good nutrition - have grant from feds for this (Improvement)
38	Redistribute wealth so health care is available to all
39	Shortly before I moved to Tucson in 2004, Pima County voters approved the purchase of substantial new open space lands. I believe the preservation of so much open space near our city center enhances the physical and emotional health us all, through cleaner air and easily accessed recreational opportunities.
40	So many more individuals and families, as well as businesses and governmental agencies would be better of it it were easier to access roegular medical care for ear infections, strep throat, minor fractures, sprained ankles. Thank how much better of people would be if they could get treated and get medicines without hassles. AACCESS is a cruel hoax. People with no income, or $500 permonth income are dropped regularly, denied care, and forced to reapply every coiple of months, and that was before the current draconian measurees were being discussed.
41	Taking away mental health services is going to make more problems in the long run. People won't take their medications, will fill the hospitals, and cost more
42	The less traffic the more city is accessible to me (less expensive, less time, more entertainment and fulfillment in life; less anxiety)
43	The quiet and dark nights allow for reflection and concentration without interruption. That is a rare treat in today's world. The peacefullness this affords is a great opportunity to do clear and important thinking, something that is useful if making important decisions. That too is a rare thing.
44	The weather supports my warm health; Driving throughout the state affords me to witness the different climate change at any given time.
45	There are health benefits. The availability of recreation helps to combat obesity. Outreach and centralized information is needed to make the public more aware of that availability
46	Therefore two things are at odds. Continuing to consume these foods is irresponsible. It's health care costs - quality of life
47	Too many young people do not have access to high quality learning opportunities outside the school day causing us to have higher drop out rates, higher obesity rates, and lower college graduation rates.
48	Transportation also determines public health. Lack of access to a car limits access to healthy foods. A grocery bag limit on buses makes shopping difficult. Limitations on mobility, limit what you eat and your activities
49	Tucson is a great place for food. There are so many choices (and healthy choices!). I also really appreciate the slow food movement in Tucson. With chefs like Janos Wilder, the Tucson CSA, and several farmers markets we are making our access to food more secure (and delicious!).
50	We are fortunate to have access to music, dance, and theatre. Art enriches our lives and helps us have a better understanding of the human spirit and intelect.
51	We have economic barriers to access to healthy food
52	We have less affordable access to health care and mental health services - particularly for lower- to middle income families
53	What about access to mental health care as well?
54	Year round outdoor access to parks and recreational activities are important to a healthy community. Equally important is the accessibility to higher education at the community college and university level.