Lawmaker Unveils Controversial Bill That Would Ban Hospitals From Denying Care to Drunk Patients
On Friday, Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) unveiled a bill (SB 145) that would impose fines up to $300,000 per incident on hospitals that have intoxicated patients arrested instead of providing treatment. The bill is backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, which donated more than $1 million to Pan's campaign. However, critics of the bill, including members of the California Nurses Association, say it is politically motivated.
- "Hospitals' Dumping of Drunk Patients Would be Barred by Controversial California Bill" (Calefati, San Jose Mercury News, 1/30).