Paying for Poor County Patients

In your Nov. 13 editorial on the rebuilding of County-USC hospital, you labeled as “disingenuous” the arguments private hospital administrators use in asking county officials to pay for the indigents they currently treat because private hospitals already receive “disproportionate share” funds for this purpose. Regrettably, you incorrectly stated the private hospitals’ position on this issue.

As the trade association representing both public and private hospitals in Los Angeles, we advised county officials that they would have to identify those indigent patients they would pay private hospitals to treat, because almost half of all hospital care needed by the poor and indigent residing in the county is currently provided by private hospitals. A downsized County-USC hospital means that more county indigents will show up at private hospitals seeking care. We have argued that the county should pay for this increase only. Shifting this burden to private hospitals without pay would be unfair.

You also urged county officials to “work with Washington to threaten” private hospitals with a reduction in federal funds as a way of persuading them to take more indigent patients. Considering all the uncertainty regarding the impact of a downsized County-USC on the public and private-sector trauma and emergency medical services system serving all county residents, threats by either party at this point would be counterproductive. Rather, county officials and private hospital administrators should collaborate on an impact mitigation plan. Failure by either party to diligently pursue this course would be irresponsible.

JIM LOTT SR., Vice President

Health Care Assn. of So. Calif.

The dagger of fiscal responsibility has pierced the heart and souls of County-USC hospital. Opening of the new 600-bed hospital (inadequate size) will mark the removal of the dagger. Who will repair the wound and rebuild the spirits of County-USC?

As always, the healing process will fall upon the health care providers who labor endlessly at County-USC. Hopefully, at the time, the efforts needed to meet the challenges will not be hampered by politics.

ROBERT A. BELTRAN MD

Member, LAC-USC Replacement

Facility Advisory Council