Thursday September 27, 2001

If the present situation continues, Tucson Medical Center's trauma center, one of only two level-one trauma centers in the Tucson area, will ring in the new year by closing for good. This state, this city and this community cannot let that happen.

The University Medical Center and TMC have enjoyed a life-saving relationship for 15 years, and if TMC closes, UMC will take on the burden of treating patients that should have gone to TMC.

One problem - UMC doesn't have near enough the resources to do so. TMC and UMC need a combined $4.8 million dollars to continue saving lives in Tucson, and, so far, they're having a hell of a time getting it.

TMC has asked for $3.3 million from Pima County's Board of Supervisors, the Tucson city council and the state Legislature to stop the closing of TMC 's trauma center. However, if TMC's closing continues on schedule, UMC will be the only level-one trauma center in the city and will still need $1.5 million to treat the anticipated deluge of patients. Getting even that amount of money may not pan out.

TMC officials say they are closing up shop because they lost millions of dollars by treating illegal immigrants and patients without health insurance. This is an unfortunate consequence to an important policy. It is our nation's and our community's responsibility to treat all those in need, whether they are dehydrated immigrants found in the desert or homeless people in need of attention. In a trauma unit - an area where lives can be either saved or lost in a matter of seconds - it would be both cold-hearted and immoral to turn away anyone in desperate need of help.

There is a basic human right to health care. And no matter what budget shortages we have to struggle with, we must continue to treat everyone in need of medical attention.

The Board of Supervisors simply doesn't have the money. Ann Day, a Republican supervisor said, "It is unfortunate that we left a crack open to make you think the county could afford to give you this money." The state Legislature will not be able to address the issue until 2002, and the Tucson City Council voted Sept. 17 against funding the centers. They all have excuses, but the fact remains - the hospitals need the money from somewhere.

As the nation slides into recession, budget surpluses are quickly turning into budget deficits. But priorities like health care must be addressed - and in this case, addressed immediately.

UMC's quality services will deteriorate if TMC's trauma center closes. UMC will take on whatever trauma patients they receive, but in doing so, the center may take away beds from patients in other departments, including its nationally recognized heart and cancer centers.

UMC did its job. It informed the community that we are looking at a serious crisis and that a solution must be found. Money must be found, and it is our state, county and city leaders' responsibility to find that money.

This time, it's a matter of life or death.