L.A. County Supervisors Mull Merging Health Agencies
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering merging the county's public health department -- which oversees disease outbreaks, substance misuse programs, restaurant inspections, nursing homes and other facilities -- and a separate mental health agency with the Department of Health Services, which is responsible for county hospitals and clinics. Those in favor of the merge say it would result in a more streamlined process and could produce budget savings.
- "Los Angeles County Weighs Merger of Health Agencies" (Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 1/8).