Editorial: Healthy debate is a necessity

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

The Clark County Commission was right to reject a bid to place a children's hospital referendum on the November ballot. Instead the commissioners will let voters decide the fate of a proposed children's hospital during a special election in June. Supporters of a children's hospital, which would be operated by the county-run University Medical Center, derided the commission's action to wait until June to hold a referendum, saying it was urgent to move forward now.

But the fact is there has not yet been a demonstrated need for a full-fledged children's hospital with 152 beds, a project that would require the county to issue $80 million in bonds. While supporters of a proposed hospital note that Nevada is one of just seven states without a children's hospital, this ignores the fact that UMC and Sunrise Hospital already operate their own extensive pediatric facilities.

If at some point it's shown that extra beds are necessary, the county could find it more cost-effective to simply add pediatric wings to existing hospitals, rather than building a brand-new hospital. In addition, an argument could be made that other pressing medical needs confronting valley residents should be taken into account as well. For instance, tremendous growth has resulted in a shortage of critical care and emergency room beds. Any consideration of how to spend public dollars should include all aspects of medical care, not just pediatric care.

Those who back the immediate building of a children's hospital have unfairly tarred those who want to study the issue thoroughly as somehow being anti-children. Fortunately this tactic didn't work against County Commissioner Mary Kincaid, who defeated Stephanie Smith in Tuesday's Democratic primary. Demagoguery has no place in this debate, which makes it even more the reason to wait to vote in June, so a full airing of the facts can be made. And while compassion is warranted, the public wouldn't be well-served if money is spent on a facility that won't be used to its fullest extent.