This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am a staff physician at the VA Salt Lake City health care system. On Saturday afternoon, I attempted to drive to the hospital at 5 p.m., at which time fans were leaving the University of Utah football game. Police had blocked Foothill Drive eastbound at 1300 East, preventing the only automobile access to the hospital. It took me nearly an hour to finally get into the hospital, taking a roundabout route. If I had needed to see one of my patients in an emergency, I would have been unable to.
Football games should not take priority over access to care for hospitalized veterans.
I have a solution: Close the university parking lots on game days, and make University of Utah fans find other ways to get to the game. Given their devotion and ingenuity, I have no doubt the stadium will still be filled. And I will be able to see my patients.
Matthew Movsesian, M.D.
Salt Lake City