BILL NUMBER:  SB 359
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2012




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 359 without my signature.

I share the goals of this legislation ? to reign in excessive
hospital charges for out-of-network emergency care.  I am not
convinced, however, that the rate-setting formula in this bill has it
right.

To be sure, there is considerable complexity in determining what
hospitals charge. Nevertheless, I am troubled by hospitals that have
dramatically higher charges than others and billing practices that
bear no apparent relationship to the costs of services.

Extraordinary hospital billings are harmful to the health care system
as a whole, including patients. If found to be as widespread and as
excessive as some claim, such practices will invite an appropriate
regulatory response.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.