An Offer That L.A. County Can’t Refuse
Back in September, relations between federal and California officials over damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake were strained. State officials wanted $2 billion for repairs to County-USC Medical Center, the UCLA Medical Center and nine other hospitals.
Richard Andrews, director of the state Office of Emergency Services, accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of “bureaucratic pedantry” in questioning the amount of funds needed. Meanwhile, FEMA said that the state “thinks we can operate without laws.” The disagreement figured to mirror the lengthy one over federal funding for repair of Bay Area damage after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Today, however, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is poised to close the door on at least one big-ticket repair item. The board is considering a FEMA and state offer of $409.9 million to either repair the nation’s busiest public hospital or build a new facility nearby. Sources say FEMA will also offer smaller, additional amounts for repair of the UCLA Medical Center and the other hospitals.
For County-USC, a new hospital makes the best sense. “The offer that FEMA made is very significant,” said an aide to Supervisor Gloria Molina.
We agree, and urge the board to accept this very reasonable offer.
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