News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

October 4, 2002

Harman Joins Community Rally To Save Countywide Trauma Network

TORRANCE - Rep. Harman today joined South Bay residents and community leaders in a rally to endorse Measure B in an effort to help save the Los Angeles County Trauma Network, including Harbor-UCLA’s trauma center.

On the November 5 ballot, Measure B would provide additional funds to the entire county’s trauma network at a time when the County’s budget shortfall threatens the continued operation of Harbor UCLA’s trauma center, the only level one trauma center in the South Bay.

Dr. Robert Hockberger, Chief of Emergency Services at Harbor UCLA, stressed the importance of keeping Harbor UCLA’s doors open, stating “Harbor-UCLA is the only hospital in the South Bay capable of mounting a significant medical response to a biological attack or earthquake.

(Left to right) LA County Supervisors Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Zev Yaroslavsky, Congresswoman Harman and Councilmember Janice Hahn endores Measure B in an effort to help save the LA County Trauma Network, including Harbor-UCLA's trauma center.

Without Harbor-UCLA, patients needing emergency care would be forced to turn to private hospitals, resulting in dangerously long waits.”

Dee Hardison, former Mayor of Torrance and Chair of the Harbor-UCLA Community Alliance echoed these sentiments, stating: “Everyone in the South Bay needs to be aware of the importance of keeping Harbor-UCLA open. A critical piece of that is the passage of Measure B.”

The rally was attended by a wide range of participants in including LA County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Harbor UCLA personnel, the Harbor UCLA Community Alliance, the League of Women Voters and the Coalition for Healthy Communities.

Following the rally, Harman stated, “Our county health care crisis could have deadly consequences if a terrorist attack or natural disaster hits the South Bay. I am working in Congress to identify possible solutions, but federal funding alone cannot solve the problem. Passage of Measure B is essential to keeping our trauma centers open and could mean the difference between life or death for many LA county residents.”

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