Economics of an Irvine Hospital

Your recent article on the contemplated Irvine hospital is most revealing. The major thrust of the involved individuals is financial. The only real statement dealing with patient care relates to economics, “. . . low overhead and an emphasis on quality can keep AMI profitable, boost the company’s stock prices.”

Quality cannot be appropriately related to cost containment, and low overhead in patient care translates into cost containment by reducing services.

At a time when more documented evidence that specifically, medical care rationing is leading to inferior quality and disastrous results, it is preposterous to allocate more than $100 million toward yet another hospital in Orange County.

Currently, Irvine has no less than three established medical centers within less than 20 minutes. Indeed, even on a smoggy day, one is clearly visible from virtually anywhere in Irvine.

The $100 million should be utilized by existing county hospitals to upgrade their services and enable residents to continue receiving state-of-the-art medical provisions.

The estimated 10,000 county residents without medical insurance are not likely to benefit by additional money allocated to another private hospital.

MICHAEL H. SUKOFF, MD

Santa Ana