Bill Would Let Hospital District Voters Weigh In on Sale of Facilities
Assembly member Mary Hayashi (D-Castro Valley) has introduced a bill (AB 1427) that would permit hospital districts to transfer property to county hospitals, the Contra Costa Times reports. Existing state law permits health care districts to sell assets to not-for-profit corporations.
The bill also would let hospital district residents weigh in on the fate of emergency and urgent care departments at the district hospital.
The bill is before the Assembly Local Government Committee.
Impetus for the Bill
On Monday, Hayashi said her bill would provide greater public oversight for negotiations between Sutter Health and Eden Township Health Care District about the future of San Leandro Hospital and its ED.Â
The district contracts with Sutter to manage the facility. However, Sutter and Alameda County are in discussions to allow the county to take over the hospital.
Under the hospital district's 2004 contract, Sutter has the right to halt several medical services at San Leandro Hospital this year and can buy the facility in 2009-2010.
The Eden Township district has scheduled public meetings next week to discuss the future of the hospital (Holzmeister, Contra Costa Times, 6/1).
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