Inside emily_hoeven's newsletter: - Abortion rights and COVID-related bills advance in caleg despite protests - Lawmakers advanced four bills to tighten California’s strict gun control laws - The prison guards’ union endorsed RobBonta for AG
Hospitals grapple with COVID costsFrom CalMatters health reporter Ana B. Ibarra:
The pandemic continues to wreak a devastating financial toll on California hospitals, which lost about $3.7 billion in 2021 — even after accounting for federal relief — on top of the estimated $8.4 billion they lost in 2020, commissioned by the California Hospital Association. About 50% of hospitals are now operating in the red, compared to about 40% pre-pandemic, the report found.due to labor shortages and supply chain challenges, the report found.that while hospitals did see a “substantial decrease” in net income in 2020, net income remained positive.
The California Hospital Association said it is working with the Newsom administration on two budget proposals that could provide some relief: a workforce development initiative and a boost in reimbursements for public hospitals that serve patients covered by Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance program for the poor.The trust responsible for paying PG&E wildfire victims is lobbying Newsom and state lawmakers for a $1.