OPINION: The new version would impose a costly scheme to redefine community benefit standards at California’s not-for-profit hospitals, limiting consumer access to special health care services through neighborhood programs.
A killer whale performs at SeaWorld. Photo: Ed SchipulPolitics in California’s Capitol is rarely black and white – even when dealing with orcas. Earlier this week, a bill that would ban animal parks from keeping killer whales in captivity met an unceremonious death in the Assembly Parks and Wildlife Committee. The bill was reduced to a “study bill,” which is how lawmakers often handle issues they want to disappear.
OPINION The importance of health care access to underserved populations is clear. Today, those local health needs are identified and prioritized in collaboration with local governments, nonprofit hospitals and community members. These “community benefit plans” provide the framework for local hospitals to direct available resources to target local health care needs in the community.
The Metrolink station in Buena ParkGov. Brown’s signing of legislation to exempt some 20,000 California transit workers from public pension changes could mean at least $1.6 billion — and perhaps more than $4 billion — in federal funds for California.