Physician Organizations

Gov. Schwarzenegger is considering the following bills:

• AB 774 by Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), which would bar hospitals from charging uninsured patients more than rates paid by Medicare or Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. The legislation would require hospitals to maintain written policies about discounted or charity services for eligible patients (Bill text, 8/28).
  
  
• SB 1661 by Sen. Dave Cox (R-Roseville), which would allow additional extensions of up to two years for hospitals to complete seismic safety retrofits if construction has already begun and a reasonable effort to meet the deadline has been made. Under the measure, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development could revoke an extension if the hospital abandons or suspends construction of its own accord (Bill text, 8/24).