California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 12, 2013
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave final approval to California Pacific Medical Center's $2 billion plan to build a new hospital on Cathedral Hill and rebuild St. Luke's Hospital, the San Francisco Business Time's "BizTalk" reports (Rauber, "BizTalk," San Francisco Business Times, 7/9).
To secure approval for the plan, CPMC agreed to scale back its Cathedral Hill proposal from 555 beds and 1,200 parking spaces to 274 beds and less than 1,000 parking spaces. It also agreed to treat up to 30,000 charity patients annually and hire area residents to staff at least 40% of entry-level positions for the first 10 years (California Healthline, 6/28).
Mayor Ed Lee is tentatively scheduled to finalize the agreement on July 11 ("BizTalk," San Francisco Business Times, 7/9).
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) is investigating an agreement between Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and St. Joseph Health that resulted in Hoag's ban on elective abortions, the KPCC's "AirTalk" reports (Mantle, "AirTalk," KPCC, 7/1). Harris approved the agreement and permitted Hoag to cease elective abortion services as long as the hospital guaranteed that alternative abortion providers were available in the area (AP/Sacramento Bee, 6/28).
However, certain obstetricians and gynecologists are criticizing the decision, saying that Hoag had insisted that it would not ban abortions at the facility ("AirTalk," KPCC, 7/1).
Riverside County Public Hospital, Moreno Valley
On July 2, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors discussed loaning the county's public hospital up to $40 million to cover a cash shortfall of nearly $27 million, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. Some observers say that the loan is needed because county policy prohibits any fund from having a year-end deficient.
The hospital would have to repay the loan -- which would be funded through the county's Workers' Compensation Fund -- with interest by June 30, 2014 (Horseman, Press-Enterprise, 7/1).
Simi Valley Hospital, Ventura
On July 1, Simi Valley Hospital enacted a ban on smoking both inside and outside of the facility, the Ventura County Star reports. CEO Kim Milstien said that the ban -- called "Compassionate Air" -- does not encompass hiring practices but that the hospital plans to expand tobacco-cessation resources for employees (Ventura County Star, 7/2).
St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, Camarillo
On June 26, St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital announced a four-year plan to build a $65 million, three-story tower to meet state seismic safety requirements and improved patient care, the Ventura County Star reports.
The expansion will house 60 beds, three operating rooms and a lab for cardiology procedures, among other features (Letzer, Ventura County Star, 6/28).
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