Hospital Should Stay Independent

It is refreshing to see the state finally realizing that keeping UCI Medical Center a public and independent institution may better serve the public’s interest (July 9).

At least one of UCIMC’s current suitors has long been known as a predator which has shown little hesitancy in closing up a hospital if it will boost its bottom line at another. Enabling UCIMC to enroll a larger number of indigent patients will not only provide the patients with better care but will enhance the learning experience of our medical school’s students and residents.

I dread the day when academic advancement at a medical school will be based more on a physician’s profiteering than health care skills. That will inevitably happen when a predator takes over.

On the other hand, it is also essential for UCI to mandate that its physicians in training spend some time in a managed-care setting so they will be better equipped to deal with the real world at completion of their training.

JOHN T. CHIU, MD

Professor, UCIMC

* Your July 9 article contained one of the few rational ideas suggested to keep the medical center in operation and fulfilling promises made by the University of California to the Orange County taxpayers when the university took over operations in the 1970s.

As an employee of the hospital, I find it appalling that the university would even consider turning it over to Columbia/HCA or Tenet Healthcare. Anyone who believes that these companies would continue to provide care for Orange County’s indigent population should check in for a visit in my department--psychiatry.

LESLIE E. LYON

President, AFSME Local 3251

Anaheim