Are Hospitals A Solution or Part of the Problem To Homelessness?

A couple of weeks ago (September 20th), I posted a blog titled, “Can Hospitals Help Solve Homelessness?” Today, the Downtown News published an article stating that “Some Charge Hospitals Send Discharged Patients To Downtown.” This is part of the continuing saga of homeless “dumping” in downtown Los Angeles. Here is the article.

Here are some excerpts from the article:
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“Numerous local officials allege that some area hospitals are sending discharged homeless patients to Skid Row. Area workers report instances in which they have seen taxis drop off patients - some still in hospital gowns, though these individuals may have left of their own volition - at the doorstep of area service providers.

"The hospital lets them out the door, they hang out there for a little while, then the hospital puts them in a taxi that dumps them off in front of the Midnight Mission," said LAPD Central Division Capt. Andy Smith. "What a horrible thing to do."

Here is the response by the hospitals:

“Mari Abrams, a spokeswoman for Good Samaritan Hospital, west of the Harbor Freeway at Sixth and Witmer streets, said the hospital refers homeless patients to social service providers if they need aid. "It could be a homeless shelter, wherever there is a homeless shelter," she said, adding that the hospital will pay for transportation.

Here’s my quote in the article:

“Joel John Roberts, CEO of L.A.-based nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless, said shifting homeless individuals or criminals usually happens because agencies are searching for a quick fix. "The reality is, it's easier to move them out to another community than deal with them in your own community," Roberts said.
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So what’s the truth? Just like law enforcement, hospitals can be either part of the problem (by “dumping”) or part of the solution to homelessness.

I don’t believe hospitals have policies of “dumping.” But it sure is convenient when a homeless person is being discharged from your emergency room, maybe at 2 AM, and the quickest and easiest solution is to give him cab fare to downtown Los Angeles.