UMC To Close?

From the LVRJ: If University Medical Center can't get its financial act in order within three years, it is possible that the county hospital will close and the poor will receive vouchers from the county to receive medical care at other area hospitals, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said Monday.
That worst case scenario, Sisolak said, was projected by consultants when he asked recently what could happen if UMC isn't able to make "significant changes" and bring about the "cost reductions" they say are necessary to keep the county hospital solvent....
FTI Healthcare, the Tennessee-based consulting firm hired last year by the county to make recommendations on how best to run the hospital, forecasts that if current trends continue -- as the state runs a deficit of its own -- annual hospital operating deficits of more than $10 million per year will be realized, leading to an operating deficit of more than $100 million by fiscal year 2014.
"Without significant changes in governance structure, immediate process improvements and cost reductions, UMC will be forced to significantly reduce clinical scope or close within three years," a draft of the executive summary of the report says. "Limited funding of $65 million is available from Clark County to support the operating deficit and capital requirements of UMC." http://www.lvrj.com/news/ailing-hospital-may-be-forced-to-close-commissioner-says-114982729.html
It would be horrible if UMC closes, especially they are a Level 1 trauma center. Perhaps UMC could be like the Maryland Shock and Trauma Center, where they only treat trauma patients and the very critically ill.
However, it cannot be disputed that much of the problem are illegals coming to the hospital for free medical care and that costs UMC millions a year.
We need to get tough with illegals. If an illegal immigrant comes to the hospital, treat them so they are stable and then send them home to their country of origin to get further treatment. If they chose not to get medical care, then so be it. That's a choice they make, but they cannot expect Nevada taxpayers to pay for illegal immigrant care. There has to be consequences for their actions.