PLATFORM : Increasing Access

The current system for providing emergency neurosurgical care in Los Angeles County represents an inefficient allocation of resources that is unfair to both patients and surgeons.

What we need is a regional network of designated centers for head trauma patients with groups of neurosurgeons assigned to each facility. Limiting the number of centers would increase the number of available neurosurgeons at each facility and allow a more equitable rotation of emergency duties among surgeons. This would also guarantee that neurosurgery patients always have access to the best medical care available.

Finally, California needs tort reform to limit a surgeon’s liability when treating head injuries. Sadly, head injuries often cause irreversible brain damage that prevents patients from making a complete neurological recovery, regardless of the medical care they receive. Despite this, an inordinate number of cases result in malpractice lawsuits.