Medical center billing is telling

The loss of Scott Hawkins' life was tragic. But also tragic (although on a much smaller scale) is the current medical system that could charge $29,186.50 for five minutes of work!

What was done in the five minutes that Hawkins was attended to before he was pronounced deceased at the UC Davis Medical Center that could reasonably cost more than $29,000? Did they put a Rolex on each wrist before he died? Was he given a nice car during those five minutes?

I am a longtime, traditional Republican, but our medical system costs are so out of control now, I say bring on reform!

– Robert Bartron, Sacramento

'The stark realities of care'

Re "Hospital bill stuns slain student's parents" (Page A1, Nov. 3): My heart goes out to the parents of the slain California State University, Sacramento, student. I do agree that the handling of the bill was crass and insensitive.

However, most people don't realize that having a team of doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, equipment and clerical staff to handle the visitors and grieving relatives is very labor-intensive. The skill and determination of these trauma teams is very reassuring to me. The cost may seem high to someone outside the medical profession, but I would hope that the team is there for me or my loved ones in time of crisis.

The last thing these parents wanted to deal with was a bill, but if we are to maintain the high standards of the trauma center, we must face the stark realities of care. The fact is, the UC Davis Medical Center and most other centers deal with these kinds of situations every day and must collect payment if they are to continue. Maybe a public-relations person in the finance department is needed to look at cases where victims of crime are involved.

The sad outcome of this horrible event resonates in the community, but don't blame the life-saving institution for its efforts.

– Sandra Saylor, Sacramento

City 'is not business-friendly'

Re "Time for City Council to mind the store" (Editorials, Nov. 1): I think Mayor Kevin Johnson got the apology right. There is a bigger issue here. Sacramento is not business-friendly. Like the state, Sacramento is one of the worst places in America to do business. Nestlé's struggle to build a plant is the perfect example of this.

Why is Ikea in West Sacramento? Why are the Kings the subject of relocation rumors? Why are there no major corporations based in our city?

I'm not going to make the claim that those opposed to the Nestlé deal don't have valid points. Maybe they do. But with all that is or may be wrong with it, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

We're in the midst of one of the worst recessions that many of us have ever experienced. Now is not the time to allow bureaucracy to block potential job creation. Our city can't afford to pass up the potential tax revenue that businesses generate.

Something is wrong here. Starving people don't reject food. The sick don't reject medicine. Our city is broken – so why won't it accept the stuff that can help fix it?

– Candace Savala, Sacramento

Nestlé, drought don't square

Re "Nestlé and conservation" (Letters, Nov. 2): I want to see if I have this right: We are in a drought and need to conserve what water we have. There are some restrictions on water use, so many of us are letting lawns and gardens die back and are conserving water in as many ways as possible.

Yet a gigantic corporation is going to create about 40 jobs bottling an unknown amount of water and then selling it back to us in plastic bottles? I won't be buying. This does not seem right. Our tap water is excellent, and we can put it right into glass containers that do not go into the landfill.

This water does not need to be bottled and sold in plastic.

– Claudeene Marks, Granite Bay

Don't blame the teachers

Re "Supply, demand, quality: Crisis in teaching" (Viewpoints, Nov. 1): Walt Gardner hits on a major problem that has plagued educational reform for years: Reformers, especially in the political arena, have absolutely no idea about what goes on in a real classroom.