Emergency departments: diversion of patients.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to, the licensing and regulations of health facilities, including, but not limited to, health facilities operating emergency departments. Existing law requires a health facility maintaining or operating an emergency department to provide emergency services and care to any person requesting those services and care for any condition in which the person is in danger of loss of life, or serious injury or illness. Violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would require emergency room funds in the County of Los Angeles that were approved by voter initiative, which are collected from properties within the San Gabriel Valley, to remain in that geographic region of the county. This bill would establish a task force to study and audit the funds collected from properties in the San Gabriel Valley since the passage of the local voter initiative, and to report its findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2015.