KAISER: Plans To Open Roseville Hospital
Kaiser Permanente announced plans Wednesday to open its "long-completed hospital in Roseville" following a surge in membership in the Sacramento area, the Sacramento Bee reports. In addition, the HMO plans to spend $24 million to "expand its south Sacramento hospital" and said that it may spend $60 million to "upgrade" its Morse Avenue Hospital, which was expected to be closed, "to meet new earthquake standards." The move comes on the heels of the company's first-ever losses, precipitating an attempt to "shave costs." However, Kaiser officials said Wednesday that growing enrollment has left them no choice but to expand in the area. "Given our strong membership growth and this winter's unusually high demand for hospital beds, we want to open our Roseville hospital before next winter and expand capacity at our south Sacramento facility," said Sarah Krevans, senior vice president for the Sacramento area. Kaiser's membership in the Sacramento area has grown 17% during the past thirty months. "There has been significant growth. It puts a strain on the system," said Dr. Jack Rozance, chief physician at Kaiser's Sacramento Medical Center.
Long-term Planning?