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Published on 04/07/1999 All articles from this issue

Bill to ensure public control of El Camino Hospital

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By Carol Tiegs

Special to the Town Crier

El Camino Hospital District residents will once again control the future of El Camino Hospital if a state bill introduced by Senator Byron Sher is approved.

Sher introduced State Senate Bill 819 on Feb. 25 in Sacramento on behalf of the El Camino Hospital District. The bill would prevent the transfer of El Camino Hospital assets into the control of any private individual or organization without a vote of the people living in the district.

Sher, who represents the 11th senatorial district, announced the legislation at a March 19 press conference and commemorative celebration at the Mountain View-based hospital. All other California hospital districts enjoy this protection under legislation in effect since Jan. 1, 1996, said hospital administrator and chief executive officer Richard Warren.

Because the assets of El Camino Hospital had been transferred to a private 501 (c )(3) corporation in 1992, that protective legislation did not extend to El Camino Hospital District, Warren said.

The transfer was the first step in creating an integrated delivery system, an experiment that proved unsuccessful. After a legal battle, the district board reached a settlement with the private hospital system in late 1996. Under that agreement the hospital was returned to public control on Jan. 1, 1997.