Authorities Investigate Redding Facility in ‘Patient-Dumping’ Case
California and federal authorities are investigating Redding's Mercy Medical Center for possible improper patient discharges, the Redding Searchlight reports.
Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986, hospitals must ensure that patients are stabilized before releasing them or transferring them to another medical center, regardless of a patient's ability to pay medical bills.
CMS spokesperson Jack Cheevers confirmed that state officials under federal contract are investigating Mercy, but did not elaborate on the hospital's alleged violations.
California's Department of Public Health also is looking into the case, spokesperson Ralph Montano said.
Mercy recently has experienced a substantial upswing in the number of patients visiting the hospital, following a dispute between Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding and the area's two largest insurers, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California (Sabalow, Redding Searchlight, 6/17). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.