The activities of the public hospital commission make a difference to our entire community. All of us or someone we know either works at Jefferson Healthcare or has been treated there as a patient. The health of the hospital is a gauge to the health of our community, but it isn't always easy to stay informed about the commissioners' activities.

Although the hospital commissioners' meetings are open to the public, they are held at a time many working people can't attend. (The 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month at 3:30.) The local press provides limited coverage of the meetings. Fortunately, the minutes of the meetings and recordings of the meetings themselves are available online. (http://www.jeffersonhealthcare.org/about_us/hospital_commission/commission_meeting_agenda_and_minutes.aspx) When I wanted to learn more about the commissioners during the last election season, I starting listening to the meetings.

It was not exactly gripping entertainment. I got through a lot of ironing and other chores while listening to hours of commissioners' microphones rustling while they discussed, with painful thoroughness, topics like how they should address each other during board meetings or which preposition to use in a resolution. Occasionally, however, there were interesting moments that gave an insight into the work of the commission or the commissioners themselves. I started taking notes about the interesting bits. That's what I want to share and discuss with other people in this forum. My hope is that I will become better informed about the commission by paying attention to it and sharing what I learn.