Debate Over Trauma Funding

I’ve been involved in hospital trauma care for about 17 years. In this time I’ve seen that about 70% of these cases are due to alcohol use. I suggest putting an extra tax on alcohol instead of increasing the property tax. After all, alcohol is one of the main factors, if not the main factor, in these cases and, consequently, the hospitals’ expenses. Why punish the property owners instead?

Mehmet H. Ozgur MD

Glendale

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Raising taxes to subsidize trauma care is a bum idea (“County Board Puts Measure to Fund Emergency Care on November Ballot,” July 31). Sure, trauma care is the greatest show on Earth. But does it make sense that teams of health professionals work round the clock to save a few lives in trauma centers while elsewhere many die of neglect and medical errors?

We need genuine reform of the health-care system, not more public money for a better show.

Sid Siegel MD

Covina