Health Safety Net

I was disappointed to see private community hospitals’ involvement in Los Angeles County’s health care safety-net system characterized as “competition” and “a problem” (Jan. 17). Private community hospitals serve almost one-third of the county’s Medi-Cal recipients, as well as significant numbers of indigent patients. These hospitals, primarily located in easily accessible, convenient inner-city locations, have historic commitments to community service, many of which date back over 100 years.

In these days of fewer government dollars and ever-increasing need for taxpayer-funded health services, we must pursue innovative private-public partnerships. We can build upon the successes of both public and private hospital delivery networks to develop the finest safety-net health system in the world.

PATRICIA E. CUNNINGHAM

President & CEO

Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center

Hawthorne