Hospitals.

Under existing law, health facilities, including general acute care hospitals, are licensed and regulated by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law prohibits a health facility from charging, billing, or otherwise soliciting payment from a patient on behalf of, or referring a patient to, another health facility in which the health facility has a significant beneficial interest, except as provided. A violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would require a general acute care hospital, except as specified, to provide a delineated notice to each patient scheduled for a service in a hospital-based outpatient clinic, as defined, when that service is available in a nonhospital-based location. By expanding the application of an existing crime, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.