National Health Care Reform

As the president and CEO of an inner-city hospital, I applaud The Times on its call for national health care reform (editorial, Jan. 6).

As you point out, more than 37 million Americans do not have health insurance. What this means to all of us--whether or not we have insurance--is that more and more people flock to emergency rooms for basic medical care, further stretching an already limited staff and budget. This problem has led to the closure of emergency rooms and trauma center throughout Los Angeles County, forcing critically ill patients to travel farther for urgent care.

Sadly, many of the uninsured are women and children, who lack pediatric care and immunizations. Over the long term this creates more costly health care problems--such as prematurity, low birth weight and chronic illnesses--that would otherwise have been eliminated by early detection, adequate care and immunizations.

To be successful, the Clinton package must emphasize preventive care and health education. It must be national in scope, but allow for regional variations in cost and service based on demographics. By insuring all Americans, yet encouraging a personalized approach, we can improve the health of our people, prevent needless suffering, and lower health care costs.

RON DAHLGREN, President/CEO

Queen of Angels-Hollywood Presbyterian

Medical Center, Los Angeles