"The University of California brings incredible talent to the table and an ability to support Los Angeles County's goal and my goal of ensuring the residents of South Los Angeles have quality care," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "My Administration will continue to lend its support and leadership for this outstanding partnership and to the reopening of a new Martin Luther King hospital."
Built in the aftermath of the 1965 Watts riots, the facility formerly known as Martin Luther King-Drew Medical Center had to stop offering emergency and inpatient services in August after failing a "make-or-break" inspection by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It also was on the verge of losing its federal funding.
Its closure sparked outrage among residents in South Los Angeles and Willowbrook. Many saw it as a symbol of efforts to revitalize the area while providing medical services to the area's largely low-income population.
Since then, county officials have been looking for ways to reopen the facility as a full-service hospital. At one point, county officials had been in talks with officials from Pacific Hospital
of Long Beach, which eventually pulled out of negotiations. The facility, recast as King-Harbor, now operates as an urgent care center.
"The people of South Los Angeles deserve access to needed, quality medical services, and this proposed plan provides an important framework for addressing this community's health care needs," Schwarzenegger said.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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