California Hospitals Urge Immediate Legislative Action on Energy Revenue Bonds.News Editors/Health & Medical Writers SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 7, 2001 Nursing, Trauma Proposals in Jeopardy If General Fund Isn't Repaid C. Duane Dauner President California Healthcare Association California's legislative leaders are currently considering a multi-billion dollar revenue bond measure, the proceeds of which would be used to repay the state's General Fund for the outlays Outlays Payments on obligations in the form of cash, checks, the issuance of bonds or notes, or the maturing of interest coupons. made over the last few months to purchase electricity. This bond measure would make the General Fund "whole," thereby restoring the state's ability to move forward with the myriad of other public policy issues that need immediate attention -- and money. Patient care services provided by California's hospitals are especially at risk if the financial tab resulting from the energy crisis continues to go unchecked. More than 60 percent of the state's hospitals -- 2 out of every 3 -- are currently operating in the red Operating in the red Doing business while losing money. . The cost of uncompensated care uncompensated care, n health care services provided by a hospital, physician, dental professional, or other health care professional for which no charge is made and for which no payment is expected. rose to $2.89 billion in California last year, a staggering 61.1 percent increase from just 2 years ago. California's Medi-Cal program ranks 48th out of 50 in terms of the state's reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. to hospitals for patient care provided to low-income people. The state's trauma and emergency care system is nearing collapse, with hospitals losing more than $300 million annually operating trauma centers trauma center n. A medical facility that is designated to treat severe physical trauma as a result of the specialized training of its staff and the availability of appropriate diagnostic and treatment tools. and emergency departments. The most severe nursing shortage in the nation has put California on the brink of a public health crisis -- with RN vacancy rates in hospitals averaging 20 percent statewide. And, California's hospitals are facing a $24 billion unfunded state mandate to meet new seismic standards. The California Healthcare Association (CHA n. 1. Tea; - the Chinese (Mandarin) name, used generally in early works of travel, and now for a kind of rolled tea used in Central Asia. A pot with hot water . . . made with the powder of a certain herb called chaa, which is much esteemed. - Tr. J. ) is sponsoring or supporting several pieces of legislation this year that are intended to mitigate some of these problems. Among these bills is SB 317 (Ortiz, D-Sacramento) that would provide state funds to help solve the nursing shortage, and SB 254 (Dunn, D-Garden Grove) which provides money to stabilize stabilize See peg. the operation of trauma centers and hospital emergency departments. CHA strongly urges the Legislature to immediately move forward with a revenue bond measure to prevent a financial meltdown meltdown Occurrence in which a huge amount of thermal energy and radiation is released as a result of an uncontrolled chain reaction in a nuclear power reactor. The chain reaction that occurs in the reactor's core must be carefully regulated by control rods, which absorb of California's economy and its health care system. The longer the General Fund is tapped to pay for electricity, the more likely it becomes that vital patient care services provided by California's hospitals will be jeopardized. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion