Health Department Narrows Options for King/Drew’s Continued Operations
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services said tonight it is focusing on two options for continued operation of King/Drew Medical Center. County Health Services Director and Chief Medical Officer Bruce Chernof, M.D. said, however, that all options remain open.“The Department is committed to providing critically needed healthcare in the community and to creating a restructured system that will allow the County to receive CMS funding.”
Two leading options being examined include transferring the hospital to a new entity such as a private hospital operator or realigning services at the KDMC site under the license of one of DHS’ fully accredited and Medicare certified facilities. Under any option the services will have to be radically restructured.
The Department expects to fully develop these options in cooperation with CMS and State authorities. The timeframe for presentation of the plan to the Board of Supervisors is extremely short because of the November 30, 2006 funding termination notice from CMS.
“The Department is committed to finding a model that keeps critical inpatient services on the site,” Chernof said. He added that whatever model is selected must meet Medicare Conditions of Participation to regain federal funding.
Under any circumstances, Chernof said, the Department will encourage public comment on whatever options are selected.
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 9/27/2006 08:22:00 PM
3 Comments:
It is time to close this hospital and vote the 5 Supervisors out of office. No reputable hospital operator will take it over. Putting it under Harbor-UCLA only jeopardizes that hospital. The community has been betrayed once again by the 5 little kings and queens, Bruce Chernof and Antionette Smith Epps -- the 7 stupidest people on earth.
Closing a hospital is not something we should do out of political spite. It's serious business in a community as underserved as South L.A. and its environs. So 8:39, get off the high horse and help everyone figure out how to provide the health care service before you call for the hospital to be closed as if it were a failing dimestore.
If King/Drew closes the employees have only themselves to blame. I have been to King/Drew many times and have found the staff to be unprofessional and incompetent. I would never take anyone I cared for to King/Drew.
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