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October 30, 2002
HARMAN DISCUSSES STEPS TO HELP
PREVENT COUNTY
HEALTH CARE CLOSURES
Venice Family Clinic Faces $3 Million in Cuts
Venice - In light of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors'
decision to delay its vote on proposed cuts to the county's health care
system, Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) met with key supporters
and staff of the Venice Family Clinic to discuss steps that must be taken
to avert closure of area hospitals, trauma centers or clinics. Currently,
Harbor-UCLA and Venice Family Clinic are slated for cuts when the Supervisors
vote on November 19.
"Because we were able to persuade the County Supervisors to delay
their vote until next month, our county's health care system still has
a pulse," said Harman. "We face an ongoing challenge to save
Harbor-UCLA and the Venice Family Clinic from the chopping block."
The Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the nation, faces
$3 million in cuts due to the impending health care crisis. "We will
fight hard to provide our services to the public, but in the end these
budget cuts could result in 6,000 patients no longer receiving health
care from the Venice Family Clinic," said Liz Forer, Executive Director
of the Venice Family Clinic. "We are talking about real, hardworking
people who depend on our services."
Robert Hockberger, M.D. Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine at Habor
UCLA Medical Center and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Director, Thomas Garthwaite, participated in the forum.
Options discussed to help prevent future closures included:
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Passage of Measure B, an initiative on the November 5 ballot that
would provide millions in additional funds for the county's trauma
network;
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Cooperation and partnership with the federal government, including
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administrator, Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid, Tom Scully, who is scheduled to visit Harbor
UCLA and Venice Family Clinic on November 6.
"Pointing fingers won't solve this problem. Now is the time for
the county, state and federal governments to work together to save our
health care and trauma care system," said Harman. "Inaction
is failure."
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