Medical Van to Roll: Officials at PacifiCare...

Medical Van to Roll: Officials at PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., including Chief Executive Officer Terry Hartshorn, will make a return trip to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

For the past seven months, the Cypress-based health maintenance organization has been working with the Watts Health Foundation to bring to reality a “mobile diagnostic center” that would treat inner-city patients who cannot afford health care. The converted recreational vehicle, equipped with mammogram and X-ray machines and staffed by physicians, will be dedicated at a Los Angeles Mission ceremony Tuesday with Harsthorn and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

The HMO contributed $400,000 to equipping the van, which was supposed to be ready in January but instead will hit the road right after the ceremony to offer curbside treatment for little or no cost to patients.

Better late than never, Hartshorn said. “It took a few more months than we wanted. But it’s completed, and it will start to provide treatment immediately.”