Statements from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The Honorable Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board – Supervisor, 4th District:
"The critical services provided by having a well-functioning hospital and emergency room in South Los Angeles are far too important to be lost forever. As private hospitals continue to close and we keep losing inpatient beds, having this public hospital open is critical to the safety net of our entire County Healthcare Network. This partnership with UC is an important first step in ensuring that we get MLK Hospital back on its feet and back open for business."
The Honorable Gloria Molina – Supervisor, 1st District:
"From the moment Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital closed its doors, my colleagues and I committed ourselves to reopening a hospital withcritically needed inpatient beds and Emergency Services for the community of South Los Angeles. I am pleased and optimistic that our goal for a partnership with the UC Systemis one step closer to making that vision a reality."
The Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas – Supervisor, 2nd District:
"The matter of health care in LA County is urgent. Therefore, the announcement of this proposal marks a significant step toward restoring quality patient care at the Martin Luther King Medical Center. The public-private partnership approach we are taking is prudent, feasible, scalable and potentially catalytic in ways that improve the health care outcomes in the region. I commend the governor, the UC and County CEO for their hard and diligent work, and the Board of Supervisors for their critical support. I am hopeful that any remaining details can be successfully resolved in a timely manner. Time is of the essence as communities with very deserving patients impatiently await the reopening of this important medical center."
The Honorable Zev Yaroslavsky – Supervisor, 3rd District:
"The reopening of MLK Hospital is the County’s most important health care priority today. The partnership between the University of California and the County of Los Angeles is the best hope for restoring critically needed hospital and emergency room care at the high level of excellence our citizens deserve. I salute Governor Schwarzenegger, the University of California leadership and our own County team for their persistence toward getting this done. Since the UC/L.A. County relationship was first proposed last May [2008], we have come a long way. There is a lot of work yet to be done, but the finish line is now in sight."
The Honorable Michael D. Antonovich – Supervisor, 5th District:
"It is vital that a reestablished hospital serving this community is held to the highest standard of quality medical care. While I have questions about the details of its proposed structure, I wholeheartedly support a cooperative partnership with the University of California and look forward to reviewing the proposed details."