Which Way, L.A.?
Race, Class and the Fight over King-Drew Medical Center
Established after the 1965 Watts Riots, King-Drew Medical Center now serves mostly poor black and Latino patients. Although the center gets as much public money as comparable facilities, reports of medical errors and patient deaths have damaged its reputation. A consulting firm is being paid $15 million to run "Killer King" with the hope that it can be fixed. Yesterday, after a long and angry hearing, the Board of Supervisors took the first step toward closing pediatric, obstetric and neonatology wards. Some have complained that the vote was cast on the basis of race and gender. We hear from supervisors on each side of the issue and get an assessment of King-Drew's medical and political history.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenEstablished after the 1965 Watts Riots, King-Drew Medical Center now serves mostly poor black and Latino patients. Although the center gets as much public money as comparable facilities, reports of medical errors and patient deaths have damaged its reputation. A consulting firm is being paid $15 million to run "Killer King" with the hope that it can be fixed. Yesterday, after a long and angry hearing, the Board of Supervisors took the first step toward closing pediatric, obstetric and neonatology wards. Some have complained that the vote was cast on the basis of race and gender. We hear from supervisors on each side of the issue and get an assessment of King-Drew's medical and political history.
