The recall election for California governor has already seen its share of weird twists, but how about this one: not one but two radiologists are running to replace Governor Gray Davis.
The two imaging specialists are the only physicians among the 134 candidates for governor who will be on the October 7 ballot. The coincidence might lead one to ask, Is there a deeper meaning to all of this?
"I’m not sure what it says about radiologists. But I don’t feel that I have any more spare time than any other physician," responded Dr. Frank Macaluso, perhaps anticipating the inference some might draw from the coincident candidacies.
It’s clear that Macaluso’s usual work keeps him plenty busy, as he describes his recent schedule. He is chairman of the radiology department for the Kaweah Delta Health Care District (located roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the inland San Joaquin Valley) and a co-owner and interventional specialist at Visalia Imaging in Visalia, CA.
Now, with his new role as "Dr. Mac, Democrat for Governor," he’s even busier. Macaluso and other lesser-known candidates are getting a share of the media attention despite -- or perhaps because of -- the absurdity of the short-lived, crowded, and crazed contest.
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For his part, Macaluso joined the race because he holds strong opinions and had told many friends and colleagues that he would run if the recall occurred. But the kicker was when action-star Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the fray.
"I’m a much more well-qualified candidate than he is," said Macaluso, noting that the actor is also surrounding himself with a bevy of old-guard advisors. "An administration starring Arnold Schwarzenegger -- I’m not sure what that does for taxpayers."
Macaluso’s plan for addressing California’s fiscal woes is to keep expenditures in line with revenues, which he says has not been the case in recent years.
"I would propose directly linking spending to the amount of money the state receives by limiting the state budget to a level not more than 20% above the level of receipts for the previous year," Macaluso states on his Web site, MacforGov.com.
"We must not allow the budget to increase yearly when revenues are flat," he wrote. "That increase has been approximately 28% since 1999-2000, while during that same time there has been no significant change in revenues received."
How can the state save that much money without gutting California’s delivery of healthcare to indigent and uninsured residents? Macaluso says the system needs to be refocused on primary care rather than the status quo of delivering services in expensive emergency settings.
"We also need a complete overhaul of the state's workers compensation program," Macaluso said. "As a doctor, I witness daily the inefficiency and fraud in the workers comp program and this needs to be stopped ASAP."
Changing the delivery of public healthcare is also a focus for Dr. Ronald J. Friedman, independent candidate for governor. Friedman is co-founder, president, and CEO of Medical Diagnostic Associates and Wellness West, both located in Woodland Hills, CA.
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"Prevention, detection, and early intervention through Wellness Programs will diminish the cost of treating later stage illness and permit utilization of available funds to afford greater access to healthcare for all Californians," Friedman states in the platform statement on his Web site, RonforGov.com. "If elected, I would appoint a panel of experts to thoroughly review the current healthcare delivery system for both insured and uninsured Californians."
Friedman promotes a similar approach to fixing California’s overall finances. "The utilization of outside-of-government expertise to apply sound business principles to the running of California Government is essential to balancing the budget," he said. Indeed, the desire to see more outsider involvement in government was the inspiration for Friedman’s own candidacy.
But the enthusiasm evidenced by both candidates doesn’t presage a career change for either.
"I am not and do not wish to become a career politician," Macaluso said. "Thus, if elected I vow not to run or campaign for re-election. This will allow me to devote my full attention to the duties of the Governor without possible distractions or conflicts of interest."
Friedman is traveling in South America and therefore unavailable for interviews, but a spokeswoman suggested that he might hold a less-than-ideal view of his election prospects. When asked whether he would run for a second term if he won the governor’s seat, his spokeswoman laughed and said, "We haven’t even talked about it."
By Tracie L. ThompsonAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
September 4, 2003
Copyright © 2003 AuntMinnie.com
