Contact:
Maya Polon, maya@paschalroth.com
Maria Elena Jauregui, 818-355-5291 (Spanish Language Media)
Sacramento, CA – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today applauded the State Senate for passing AB 892 (Bains), a bill to strengthen the public hospital and healthcare delivery system for Central Valley residents served by Kern Medical Center by improving public accountability and financial transparency. SEIU California thanked Dr. Bains for her commitment to strengthening this vital public institution. The bill now goes back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.
SEIU California released the following statement from Riko Mendez, President of SEIU Local 521 and Executive Board Member of SEIU California:
“Public health institutions like Kern Medical Center are a vital part of healthcare delivery in California, and the public deserves to know that they are being managed with the highest level of integrity; AB 892 ensures that Kern Medical Center and its affiliated foundation meet well-established accounting standards and that the public has access to audits of the institution. SEIU California’s members thank Dr. Bains for her continued dedication to Kern County’s residents and her commitment to public accountability, financial transparency, and healthcare access.”
Background: AB 892 will increase public accountability and financial transparency at the Kern County Hospital Authority (KCHA), a public, local body established to guarantee continued access to quality care at Kern Medical Center and its network of outpatient clinics and services. The bill will require KCHA and its Foundation to maintain financial records in accordance with GASB standards, include the Foundation in its annual audit, and make those audits available to the public.
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