Funding of Trauma Centers

An article (“Governor’s Vetoes of Health Funds Stun L.A. County,” July 9) regarding the future of Los Angeles County trauma centers contains some misleading comments which may result in some confusion. I would like to set the record straight.

Trauma centers have never been a state-funded program. They were initiated by counties and have always been funded at the local level. In light of this fact, I find it very ironic that county officials are now attempting to pass the buck and blame our Administration for their own unwillingness to fund a county program.

Our new budget provides counties with a total of $88.8 million in unrestricted block grants, and Los Angeles County can expect to receive a large share of these funds. These are funds which are provided with no strings attached and will allow counties to finance trauma centers or other priority programs as they see fit.

In the article, County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Dixon anticipates that Los Angeles County will receive $30 million from this block grant fund, but that he would recommend that this money be spent on other programs. Given Dixon’s statement, one has to wonder whether trauma centers are, in fact, a priority in Los Angeles County.

The citizens of Los Angeles County have every right to be concerned about this situation, but they should express these views to the county--not the state--because we have given the counties the funds to continue providing these vital services, if they choose to do so.

GOV. GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN

Sacramento