When Indigent Care Falls Short

The Los Angeles Times deserves the thanks of the entire medical community for its editorial on the failures of the health care system in Orange County (“Health Care System Is Hurting Everyone,” Sept. 13). It points out clearly and cogently the effect of inadequate funding for the poor on the medical care of the entire county, especially emergency care. Virtually every doctor in Orange County renders large amounts of free and reduced reimbursement care within and outside the office setting.

Nevertheless we have reached the point at which the flood of uninsured patients seeking merely routine care can no longer be cared for in emergency departments. That not only means no care for the poor, it also means closing emergency facilities that are vitally necessary for all of us.

TERENCE F. MALOY, MD

President

Orange County Medical Assn.