California regulators moved Thursday to revoke the license of Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital, an action that, if not reversed, would force its closure.
The move, the boldest thus far by the state, follows recent findings by the federal government that patients at the public hospital are in immediate jeopardy of harm or death despite years of reform efforts.
The state Department of Health Services has never before made such a threat against King-Harbor and has not revoked any hospital's license since 2004.
Two of the five members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors said Thursday that they now support closing the hospital without delay.
"I think it's over for us," Supervisor Gloria Molina said. "I'm in fact terrified that somebody else might be hurt or neglected or abused at Martin Luther King hospital."
Supervisor Mike Antonovich agreed. "The time has come to put patients' lives before incompetent employees or political agendas," he said.
The state's decision, which was approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is subject to appeal. That process could take six months to a year.
The state suggested in a letter Thursday to county health director Dr. Bruce Chernof that it could rescind the action if the hospital was able to show that it met state and federal standards -- a goal it has been unable to achieve since 2004.
The hospital will remain open in the meantime.
"We're really worried that the people will think the hospital closes tomorrow," said Sandra Shewry, director of the state health department. "It doesn't mean that. Services continue while this process plays out. The best end point is for that hospital to come into compliance."
The state's intervention dramatically increases the pressure on King-Harbor, formerly King/Drew, whose turbulent history traces back almost to its inception. It also marks a change in direction for the state, which in recent months had urged the federal government to continue funding the hospital in hopes that reforms would succeed.
The federal government has for some time dangled the threat of pulling crucial Medicare and Medi-Cal funding -- a matter that could be settled by an inspection next month. But the state's threat is potentially more potent: A hospital cannot operate, period, without a license.
Concern about King-Harbor has been building in recent weeks after highly publicized lapses in care.
