UCSF/STANFORD MERGER: STATE SENATE TO QUESTION MERGER
"The state Senate Judiciary Committee will conduct hearingsThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
next week to challenge the pending merger between" the University
of California-San Francisco and Stanford University medical
centers. SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER reports that the hearings are
designed to address "fears that a large and valuable public asset
would be turned over to private hands." State Sen. John Burton
(D) said, "I'd like to see the thing go back to Ground Zero. My
main concern in holding the hearing is this: The gift of public
funds and the desertion of UCSF's time-honored mission."
AUTHORITY: EXAMINER reports that although the state
Legislature does not have operational control of the university,
"it is entrusted, according to the state constitution, to ensure
the safety of UC's funds." In addition, it "has jurisdiction
over antitrust issues, such as potential medical monopolies."
The Legislature also "has limited control over clinical teaching
funds that help support the medical schools, which are not part
of the merger plan" (Krieger, 3/7).