Editorial: Signs of recovery for ailing hospital

Monday, July 7, 2003 | 8:55 a.m.

Last year University Medical Center was reeling. The county-operated hospital was racking up a huge debt, aggravated in part by people using the facility who no longer had health insurance because they had been laid off in the wake of 9-11. In addition, there were serious concerns about whether the hospital was being poorly run. The county manager sought to bring things under control through a mixture of cuts -- layoffs and the closure of two Quick Care centers -- and a $38.4 million subsidy approved in November by the Clark County Commission. They were responsible actions and already county officials, while still cautious about the hospital's recovery, note that progress is being made.

The hospital had a $1.4 million operating deficit in May, but it was the fourth straight month that this deficit has declined. Last week the Sun reported that if current trends continue, the hospital should break even by the end of December. While we're glad to see the situation improving at UMC, it shouldn't obscure the reality that many people are forced to use the county hospital and its satellite clinics because not enough employers in Southern Nevada provide health insurance for their employees. That means the taxpayer ends up paying the tab. Sure, the county should continue to shoulder its responsibility for providing indigent care, but more employers should do the right thing and offer health care insurance for their workers.

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