Mayor Opposes Ballot Measure on Hospital Admissions Criteria
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday criticized several measures on the June ballot, including an initiative that would restrict admissions at Laguna Honda Hospital, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Under Proposition D, patients who are diagnosed primarily as having behavioral or psychiatric problems and could pose a threat to other patients at the hospital would not be admitted. The measure was placed on the ballot through a signature drive.
Newsom said that although he understands the intent of the measure, he is concerned that the law could unintentionally increase costs to taxpayers if patients are forced to seek more costly care elsewhere or that it could lead to patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia being denied care, among other unforeseen consequences.
Frank Gallagher, a spokesperson for the Yes on D campaign, said that the purpose of the measure is to protect patient safety and that Newsom's concerns are exaggerated (Gordon, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/21).