Hospitals Grapple With New California Law Geared Toward Preventing ‘Patient Dumping’
The law was designed to curb the practice of discharging homeless patients back onto the streets. But hospitals' resources, which are already stretched thin, are being strained by the weight of the new requirements.
Capital Public Radio:
California Hospitals Strive To Comply With New Homeless Patient Laws, But Say Lack Of Resources Makes It Tough
Physicians across the state are grappling with the new law, which requires hospitals to offer homeless patients a meal, clothing and other services before sending them to a residence or a social services provider that has agreed to take them. It was designed to address “patient dumping,” a phrase homeless advocates use to describe hospitals discharging patients to the streets without adequate planning. (Caiola, 1/21)
In other news —
San Francisco Chronicle:
New Housing Complex For Older Adults Rises In SF’s Excelsior
The Excelsior district has been largely left out of the wave of development that has transformed neighborhoods across San Francisco. No pricey condos, trendy apartment buildings or even affordable housing developments have sprouted in the unpretentious area that straddles Mission Street just south of Interstate 280. But now the biggest development in the neighborhood in decades is taking shape on the a hillside above the intersection of Silver Avenue and Mission Street, on the northern edge of the Excelsior. (Dineen, 1/18)
Modesto Bee:
Volunteers Still Needed For Stanislaus CA Homeless Count
Scores of volunteers are set to go out Thursday to conduct this year’s annual count of homeless people in Stanislaus County, but there still is time to be part of this effort. A final training for those wishing to volunteer will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Health Plan of San Joaquin, 1025 J St., Modesto, said Maryn Pitt, one of the organizers of this year’s count and assistant to the Turlock city manager for housing and economic development. (Valine, 1/20)