UC board discusses King-Harbor Med. Ctr.

/*King-Harbor Medical Center*/, which was located in Willowbrook, Calif., closed its inpatient services in 2007 after years of trouble and patient deaths.

Under a proposal to restore an emergency room and expand medical care by 2012, the university would only provide medical oversight and physician services.

Regents Chairman Richard Blum said the contract with the hospital should include the creation of a reserve fund and allow the University to back out of the deal. "I think once we get committed to this, it will be very difficult and maybe almost morally irresponsible to walk away from it," Blum said. "I worry a lot about that."

County Chief Executive William T. Fujioka said Los Angeles officials hope such an agreement on a reserve fund can be reached. "The concept is fine with us," he said. "It depends on the amount."

A final contract vote is expected in the fall.