Hospital Spending on Initiative

* Re “Hospital’s Tab for Tobacco Initiative Tops $500,000,” July 28.

It was shocking to find that the proponents of Measure O, which directs payment of the tobacco claims settlement to the county’s private hospitals, had spent more than half a million dollars through the end of June. It was also interesting to find that the total sum represents the in-kind contributions of Community Memorial Hospital. The contributions were for legal fees, signature gathering to place the measure on the ballot and public relations.

It is hard to believe the board of directors of Community Memorial, a not-for-profit institution that enjoys a tax exemption, would find it prudent to authorize the expenditure of such large sums of money on a campaign of questionable legality and certain questionable morality. The board members’ apparent disregard for the financial trust they have been given over the assets of the hospital is appalling.

JOHN S. MURRAY

Simi Valley