Dear Editor:At the time it filed for bankruptcy in September 2009, Downey Regional Medical Center stated that its normal operations would continue and that it intended to reemerge from the process within a year. Twenty-two months later, however, most of us have no clue about the health of our very important community hospital. Although The Downey Patriot has periodically reported on the medical center's situation, there's been no real news regarding the facility other than that of two unsuccessful attempts to merge with other health care organizations. Meanwhile, hospitals in neighboring Whittier and Lakewood have actively promoted their services to residents of this city. One would hope that DRMC would provide us with periodic updates about its efforts to exit bankruptcy. The "News and Events" section of its website doesn't provide that information; the last press release posted is from 2009. Downey Regional has provided quality health care in Downey for ninety years, and I certainly hope it will continue to do so for at least ninety more. Its physicians, nurses and support staff are some of the very best around. The question remains, however...... How sick is this patient? A caring community would like to know. -- Mark Echmalian Downey

********** Published: July 14, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 13