Supervisors Cancel Hearing on Health Cuts

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has canceled a Thursday hearing to determine the impact on the poor of $12.7 million in funding cuts to public hospitals and clinics because it does not appear that the board can legally make more reductions in county medical service.

The supervisors are under court order to stop an earlier round of health cuts totaling $7.6 million. These were imposed last August after the state decreased its funding for health and mental health programs. A Superior Court judge ruled Nov. 14 that the cuts had reduced medical services at county hospitals below the minimum required by state law.

The Department of Health Services has to come up with an additional $20 million to finish the fiscal year, ending June 30, in the black. The department is looking at ways to trim expenses. Irving Cohen, assistant director for administration and finance, said substantial additional income also will be needed.