(a)
The Legislature recognizes that in the context of hospital services rendered as a result of emergency medical conditions, the application of the supplemental services requirement of Section 30125 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 13 of Chapter 1331 of the Statutes of 1989 includes certain unique considerations, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)
Hospital emergency room patient loads generally are not controlled by the facility.
(2)
The facility is obligated, as a condition of licensure, to take all patients in need of emergency treatment, if it is within the capacity of the facility to do so.
(3)
It is the policy of the Legislature to provide less expensive alternative methods of care, rather than continue present patterns of overutilization of emergency facilities.
(b)
Hospitals which provide appropriate treatment to patients who present in the emergency department and which do not impose any barriers to patients’ receipt of that treatment shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Section 30125 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 13 of Chapter 1331 of the Statutes of 1989.
(c)
Each county, as part of its plan for distribution of funds under paragraph (2) of
subdivision (b) of Section 16946, shall consider the use of those funds to meet emergency room patient needs and followup treatment, including the need for special hospital services.
(d)
Any hospital which contracts with a county under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 16946 shall report to the county and to the office on any reduction in hospital emergency room specialist capability below the level which was provided at that facility on October 2, 1989.
(e)
This section shall not be construed to alter or amend any hospital’s obligation under Sections 1317 to 1317.9a, inclusive, of the Health and Safety Code.