Critics Of Calif. Bill Regulating Dialysis Centers Claim It Will Drive Up Costs
The Senate bill requires specific staffing ratios, yearly inspections and establishing transition times between patients for each station.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Are Dialysis Centers Unsafe, Profit-Hungry Facilities That Need Stricter Regulation?
Is it true that dialysis centers in California are unsanitary, poorly staffed facilities that pack in patients to maximize profits? That’s the question at the heart of a controversy involving a measure in the Legislature. ... Backed most strongly by the Service Employees Union International and other labor organizations, bill has been controversial since it was introduced in February by state Senator Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens. Proponents, who have come together in a group called More than Numbers, said staffing levels are the only way to address what they said are significant problems in the state’s dialysis industry — which is estimated to care for more than 60,000 Californians per year suffering from kidney failure. (Sisson, 5/24)
In other news —
Los Angeles Times:
Following The Example Of Voters, Legislatures Are Trying To Legalize Marijuana — With Mixed Results
A Pew Research Center survey from October indicated 57% of Americans support legalized marijuana, compared with 37% who want it to remain illegal. A similar Pew survey in 2006 showed almost the opposite — 60% believed it should be illegal, compared with 32% who supported legalization. This trend also is reflected in many state-level polls, emboldening lawmakers enticed by, among other things, possible tax revenue to move forward with legalization efforts. (Lee, 5/24)