In Need of Resuscitation: Renovation only one way for Parkland to go

Dallas Morning News | Editorials:

"For many years, county commissioners were reluctant to approve tax increases for [Parkland] hospital or to approve construction of a new public hospital, a project that could carry a $1 billion price tag. They now realize the gravity of Parkland's situation and seem committed to reinvesting in the hospital. That's a good thing. A significant medical bill has come due that the region can't afford to let go unpaid. This is about the future of health care as much as it's about dollars and cents."

Dallas plans to spend $1.5 billion to tunnel under LBJ Freeway for a few additional traffic lanes, with $420 million coming from state taxpayers, DART, and the city. Arlington plans to spend $700 million on a playground for professional football, with about half coming from city taxpayers. If area officeholders believe those projects are money well spent, then spending $1 billion for a new hospital should be a no-brainer. Even the costs for basic repairs to Parkland Hospital are estimated to run $139 million. It's time to quit patching and build anew.