Hospital Settles Patient-Dumping Case; Will Pay LA $450K
In the past three years, LA City Attorney Mike Feuer has filed similar lawsuits against several other hospitals and reached settlements in six of them, netting $3 million in fines and penalties.
Los Angeles Times:
Hospital Agrees To Pay $450,000 To L.A. To Settle Homeless Patient Dumping Lawsuit
Two years after it dumped a homeless woman on skid row with no identification and wearing only paper pajamas, a Hawaiian Gardens hospital has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Los Angeles, the city attorney’s office announced. City Atty. Mike Feuer sued Gardens Regional Hospital & Medical Center last year after the woman, identified in the suit as Jane Roe to protect her privacy, was dropped off by a hospital van in 2014. She was found wandering the streets and eventually ended up in front of Union Rescue Mission. (Serna, 10/25)
In other hospital news —
Los Angeles Times:
Prime Healthcare Ordered To Pay $6.5 Million In Back Wages
In a ruling last week, the National Labor Relations Board ordered Prime Healthcare Services, the owner of several Southern California hospitals, to pay back wages to laboratory technicians, clerks and pharmacists, among other employees. The chain owes $6.5 million to 500 workers at Encino Hospital Medical Center and Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center, according to the union representing them, the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. (Kitroeff, 10/25)
Ventura County Star:
St. John's Hospital Parent Considers Merger
The Dignity Health organization that operates two Ventura County hospitals is considering merging with Catholic Health Initiatives, which operates 103 hospitals in 18 states. Officials of the two systems announced in a statement that they've signed a nonbinding letter expressing their plan to enter merger talks. (Kisken, 10/25)