BILL NUMBER: AB 2304	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Logue

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to amend Section 127340 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to public health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2304, as introduced, Logue. Private nonprofit hospitals:
community benefits.
   Existing law requires private not-for-profit hospitals to, among
other things, adopt and update a community benefits plan for
providing community benefits either alone, in conjunction with other
health care providers, or through other organizational arrangements.
Existing law makes certain findings and declarations regarding the
social obligation of private not-for-profit hospitals to provide
community benefits in the public interest.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those
findings and declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 127340 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
   127340.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (a)  Private not-for-profit hospitals meet certain needs of their
communities  through the provision of   by
providing  essential health care and other services. Public
recognition of their unique status has led to favorable tax treatment
by the government. In exchange, nonprofit hospitals assume a social
obligation to provide community benefits in the public interest.
   (b)  Hospitals and the environment in which they operate have
undergone dramatic changes. The pace of change will accelerate in
response to health care reform. In light of this, significant public
benefit would be derived if private not-for-profit hospitals reviewed
and reaffirmed periodically their commitment to assist in meeting
their communities' health care needs by identifying and documenting
benefits provided to the communities which they serve.
   (c)  California's private not-for-profit hospitals provide a wide
range of benefits to their communities in addition to those reflected
in the financial data reported to the state.
   (d)  Unreported community benefits that are often provided but not
otherwise reported include, but are not limited to, all of the
following:
   (1)  Community-oriented wellness and health promotion.
   (2)  Prevention services, including, but not limited to, health
screening, immunizations, school examinations, and disease counseling
and education.
   (3)  Adult day care.
   (4)  Child care.
   (5)  Medical research.
   (6)  Medical education.
   (7)  Nursing and other professional training.
   (8)  Home-delivered meals to the homebound.
   (9)  Sponsorship of free food, shelter, and clothing to the
homeless.
   (10)  Outreach clinics in socioeconomically depressed areas.
   (e)  Direct provision of goods and services, as well as preventive
programs, should be emphasized by hospitals in the development of
community benefit plans.