Civic Leaders Assail County Hospital Plan

Antelope Valley leaders on Wednesday condemned Los Angeles County's decision not to use part of a $150-million federal bailout to save the publicly operated High Desert Hospital from cutbacks.

Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said the decision favors Los Angeles County's urban core even though Antelope Valley hospitals are overcrowded.

The county will use federal aid for Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Torrance.

County officials said High Desert in Lancaster is not a priority because it does not have an emergency room and, with 75 beds, is too small to operate efficiently.