Sen. Cortese's Statement on SB 1300 - Closure of Inpatient Psychiatric and Maternity Ward Services - Advancing to Governor's Desk

SAN JOSE, CA – Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement regarding his Senate Bill 1300 (SB 1300) advancing to the Governor’s desk for signing and adoption.

“Private hospital corporations have an obligation and responsibility to the communities they provide critically needed inpatient psychiatric and perinatal services, especially when they intend to downgrade or eliminate them and there is no other provider for miles. SB 1300 will provide ample notice for service reductions to the surrounding community and ensures that private hospital corporations are held accountable and remain transparent during the process,” said Senator Cortese. “By requiring private hospital corporations to disclose such information, public health and hospital systems will be better informed and equipped to absorb the loss of services by private providers. This in turn, ensures patients don’t lose out on potentially life-saving medical care services.”

“While SB 1300 will not prevent all closures, it offers a critical lifeline to communities facing the loss of inpatient psychiatric units. This extended notice period is more than just time on a calendar; it is an opportunity for comprehensive planning, staff transitions, and public awareness. In the landscape of mental health care, even a small increase in preparation time can make a world of difference to our loved ones,” said Jessica Cruz, CEO, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-CA)

"California hospitals are closing labor and delivery services at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the country, with 11 hospitals announcing closing maternity wards just last year,” said Katie Van Deynze, with Health Access CA, in support of the bill. “SB 1300 is a needed reform that will improve transparency around these closures, and give communities and local governments more information and time to prepare to fill gaps that these service closures create. We urge Governor Newsom to sign the bill."

SB 1300 will require a health facility to provide a 120-day public notice of the elimination of its inpatient psychiatric and perinatal services. The bill increases transparency and accountability by requiring a health facility to provide a justification for its decision to eliminate services and to hold a public hearing on the proposed service closures.”

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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