Deadline for California Seismic Safety Rules for Hospitals Again at Issue
California hospitals continue to push for delays to state deadlines for seismic safety rules at the same time that the California Nurses Association labor union points to last week's earthquake in Haiti as an example of why the deadlines should not be eased, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Last year, state lawmakers tabled a proposal that would have pushed back the compliance deadline for some hospitals, and the Bee reports that the issue likely will re-emerge in this year's legislative session.
Jan Emerson, a spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, said that hospitals do not oppose the requirements but asserted that many hospitals cannot afford the work needed to bring their facilities into compliance with the law.
Nonetheless, Bonnie Castillo, director of government relations for CNA, said, "We're all at risk if we do not ensure our buildings are safe for our patients, health care providers and nurses" (Calvan, Sacramento Bee, 1/16). 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.