Panel to debate bond for a children’s hospital

Adrienne Packer

Friday, July 28, 2000 | 10:19 a.m.

A six-member committee is expected to be appointed Tuesday to write arguments and rebuttals for a November ballot question on whether Clark County should authorize an $80 million bond issue for a children's hospital.

County officials issued a notice for applicants to serve on the committee earlier this month when they suspected a collection of physicians circulating a petition pushing for a ballot question would be successful.

The physicians, who call themselves the "Caring for Children Committee," must collect 38,641 signatures by Monday. The group was expected to announce its success during a press conference today.

Three residents will write the pros for putting the bond question on the ballot and three will write the cons, according to county reports.

In May board members voted to delay placing the question on the ballot, saying they wanted to first assemble a task force to determine whether Clark County needs a children's hospital and whether the county could afford one.

Commissioners said if the study proved a need exists, a ballot question could be considered during the city of Las Vegas' election next summer.

As County Manager Dale Askew began forming the task force, the pediatricians started circulating their petition.

Doctors and administrators with University Medical Center, which would operate the children's hospital, claim there are not enough pediatric beds in Clark County. They said a new facility would allow children to be treated for certain illnesses in Las Vegas rather than being transported out of state.

Representatives with Sunrise Hospital, who have been most vocal about their objection to UMC's independent children's hospital, said the 140 beds in their facility can accommodate the valley's children.