You wanna see rational and efficient? I'll show you rational and efficient

by: los anjalis

Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 23:11:43 PM PDT

Some state officials have said that New Jersey needs this period of consolidation -- that there were too many hospitals, and that some needed to close to make the system more rational and efficient.

But many of the closing hospitals have been in urban areas and towns with large concentrations of minority and poor residents. Two hospitals in Newark -- St. James and Columbus Hospital -- closed this year, angering local officials. Mayor Cory Booker (D) said he was "angry and anguished and frustrated" by the closings.

"The hospitals that close are generally in urban areas with minority people living there, and they don't count politically," said the Rev. James Colvin, who has also been active in trying to save Muhlenberg or find a new buyer.

"From a 'survival of the fittest' standpoint, it makes sense. We're saying it smacks of the final solution for urban centers. Someone else called it 'genocide lite.' "

I'd like to have a friendly conversation with some of those state officials who seem to think this is a "rational and efficient" way to consolidate health care resources.  Friendly.  Just sayin'.