Drastic downsizing of pediatric care at L.A. County-USC Medical Center

No hospital in California lost more pediatric beds in recent years than Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The downsizing began more than two years ago as hospital officials prepared for their move into a new state-of-the-art facility with only two-thirds of the space of the old campus. Officials with the county Department of Health Services said they believe the cuts in children's beds will be offset by a shift from inpatient to outpatient care, making it possible to maintain the same level of service. But front-line pediatricians strongly dispute that pediatric care will not suffer.