Letter: Zenkin Endorsed by Former Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charlie Baker

The following is a letter from Rose Mani on behalf of the Committee to Elect Walter Zenkin for State Representative, 21st Middlesex District:

Former Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charlie Baker joined 21st Middlesex District State Rep. candidate Walter Zenkin for a visit to Burlington’s Lahey Clinic to discuss healthcare policy and operations.

Jeff Doran, the Chief Operating Officer and a selection of department heads was excited to meet with Walter and Charlie. This impromptu gathering to discuss the Lahey’s role in the Community and recent achievements preempted a tour of the facility’s newest wing, the oncology unit, emergency room and the new inpatient suites.

Lahey Clinic employs nearly 450 physicians and over 4,000 nurses and other staff members, many of whom reside in Burlington, Bedford and Wilmington.

Zenkin stated, “Everyone acknowledges that healthcare needs reform on some level, but reform for the sake of reform is counter-productive. Reform needs to be implemented intelligently. The government continues to level costly mandates on hospitals without fully understanding the repercussions such changes will have. The state needs to work together with hospitals and insurance providers before implementing mandatory changes.”

Zenkin thanked Charlie Baker and the staff at Lahey Clinic for their time and hospitality.