About Local Medical Care

To the Editor:

Amid all the news concerning the downfall of St. Mark’s Hospital, we in Fayette County witnessed the discontinuing service of Air Evac helicopter service. Some would say “what’s the difference since we cannot be admitted to St. Marks for anything but outpatient care.”

So now we can rely on helicopter service, if needed, from either Bastrop or Columbus. You will be delivered to a hospital in Houston or Austin. But, if we still had Air Evac this would be our only option as well. The only difference being the amount of time required to alert flight crews and medical staff in Bastrop or Columbus then fly to where the patient is located and then transported to Houston or Austin.

I’ll bet the fly time from La Grange to anywhere in Fayette County is faster than either Bastrop or Columbus. Not to say PHI is not a quality transport company, I have been on numerous flights offshore on many occasions and very happy with the service.

If you or a loved one needed rapid transport to Houston or Austin why would your only option be Bastrop or Columbus to service your needs?