Do no harm?

Ten hospitals in the Los Angeles area are under investigation for allegedly "dumping" homeless patients in the Skid Row area. In a dramatic turn, the City Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against Kaiser Permanente, alleging false imprisonment and endangerment. So the Business Journal asks:

Should the City Council address the issue of patient dumping?

Michael Stoddard

Executive Vice President

Premier Business Bank

I don't think anyone should be dumping patients anywhere they don't want to go. And to dump them on Skid Row seems to me like hospitals are trying to diminish their costs in dealing with their patients but it increases cost for the city of Los Angeles in dealing Stoddard with these people. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be dumped on Skid Row. With respect to City Council, I don't know, they obviously need to address it because it affects their budget. As for hospitals, I find it appalling that they would do something like that if in fact it' s true.

Mary Lyon 

Internet columnist and author of "The Frazzled Working Woman's Practical Guide to Motherhood"

Yes, I think the City Council should get involved. I think we should not be screaming and yelling about tax relief so much because we need to be able to pay for services like this that prevent the least of our brethren from being dumped. This cheapskate tight-wad, all-for-me and none-for-we attitude has got to go.

Jessica Dubron

Event Manager

Jake's

It is absolutely unacceptable for hospitals to knowingly and purposefully put their patients in harm's way. Furthermore, if patients are being taken against their will or are medically unstable it's a violation of federal law. Hospital administration needs to make every effort to locate and contact a friend or relative. However, the hospital cannot be held responsible for housing the homeless. The City Council needs to work closely with hospitals to develop a protocol to place patients in a safe environment once they are released.

Mark R. Ross

Managing Director

Mosaic Capital

The supposition is that they are doing it. I don't know if it's been proved to be the case or not. If it is the case, you have to understand what the alternatives are. Something has to be done; you can't treat people like they're baggage. It's a real problem and it needs a real solution. Whether or not the City Council or the mayor gets involved--something needs to be done, but I just don't know what. It's easier to say "it's not my problem, it's somebody else's."

Desmond Burrows

Creative Director

Quigley-Simpson

Everyone assumes that doctors can do no harm. Skid Row is a nasty place. If doctors are actually putting people there something huge is wrong. It just seems like this is just a symptom of a much bigger issue--of a broken health care system. The solution has got to be bigger than what Los Angeles City Council can do.

Herb Smith

President

Los Angeles Mission

The practice of dumping is deplorable. Though many that are being dumped have needs that are outside of the Los Angeles Mission' s range of services, we welcome any hospital to call us. Rather than leave people on the street, bring them to us we will arrange for the appropriate help needed. Our phone number is [phone].