Los Angeles County Feels Symptoms of Health Crisis Relapse

Los Angeles Times ^ | August 29, 2004 | Jason Felch

[Equusphile]

For the last 15 years, the crisis has been called a meltdown and a snowball, a doomsday scenario and a healthcare Chernobyl. It has been blamed on old people and more people; nursing shortages and earthquake retrofits; the uninsured, the indigents and the illegal immigrants.

Six emergency rooms have closed in the last 14 months. Hospital and healthcare officials predict a further 10% to 15% reduction in the county's emergency room capacity, with three large ERs at private hospitals thought to be at risk of closure.

All of this is taking place as the number of Californians without health insurance continues to surge. Census figures released last week showed that the number increased by 200,000 from 2000 to 2003 and stands at 6.5 million, or 18.4%. The percentage is even greater in Los Angeles County, where more than one in four residents are now uninsured.

Hospital administrators and county officials are urging voters to defeat Proposition 72, which would repeal a senate bill passed last year that requires employers of 50 or more people to pay for 80% of workers' health insurance by 2007.

They say the bill could reduce the number of uninsured by 800,000. Those backing Proposition 72, including the California Chamber of Commerce, say the law is a $5.7-billion tax on employers and a $1.5-billion tax on workers that slows job growth.

The other initiative, Proposition 67, which is supported by hospitals and healthcare advocates in Los Angeles County, would add a 3% surcharge to phone bills in order to generate $150 million to pay for emergency room care, paramedic training and care, and community clinics.

Opponents of that measure, which include major telephone companies, say the tax is not justified because it would benefit large healthcare corporations without guaranteeing better service.

[Equusphile]

Sure, blame the old people, instead of the population explosion, mostly due to illegal immigration.

I am AGAINST Proposition 72. Businesses profit from illegal immigration, and they strongly support open borders. Better they get taxed than me.

I am AGAINST Proposition 67, since that taxes my cell phone service to pay for the uninsured (including ILLEGAL aliens).

[StoneColdGOP]

Just about every ill in L.A. County can be traced to the illegal alien invasion. Overpopulation=illegals that don't belong here.

Overcrowded prisons...

Overcrowded classroooms...

Congested freeways and streets...

Emergency rooms and hospitals closing...

Rising insurance costs and falling wages...

[hushpad]

the indigents and the illegal immigrants<<<<<<

HEY! California! Put this in a nutshell and crack it! There is your WHOLE problem!

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with you, and isn't it surprising they picked the country that more than likely has the largest presence of illegal-immigrants, to talk about uninsureds? The real hoot is the idea these folks don't have insurance. Like hell they don't! You and I insure them with our tax dollars.

Socialists NEVER get enough milk at the government breast.

It's probably fairly accurate to state that 70 to 80% of all services provided by Los Angeles County run hospitals, are provided to illegal immigrants and their families. I have not idea what the budget of the county hospitals is, but I'll bet it breaks the billion dollar figure easily.

[Uncle Hal]

The 800 pond gorilla in the room that the main stream Media never talks about is ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. That is the big reason our health care is in shambles, our prisons are full and our schools are among the worse in the USA. Until we grapple with that problem our quality of life will continue to decline.