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Chief Administrative Officer, recommending the Board authorize submittal of a formal request to Assemblyman Bigelow to sponsor legislation that would allow for private, non-profit hospitals within the county to enter into joint powers agreements with public agencies within the county.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County includes two County Service Areas (CSA’s) for the provision of ambulance services. The County provides ambulance services in both CSA’s through contracts with Joint Powers Authorities (JPA’s) in each CSA. A close and collaborative relationship between the hospitals within the county and the JPA’s is essential for the efficient and effective delivery of ambulance services to the public. The County is fortunate that Marshall Medical Center and Barton Memorial Hospital have positive and productive relationships with the JPA’s; however, in order to more fully recognize the county’s hospitals as full partners, it is recommended that the hospitals be afforded the opportunity to be included on the JPA board of directors as voting members.
This would require a change to Government Code. The Code has already been amended several times to achieve the same goal for specific counties, including Contra Costa, Kern, and others.
Staff has drafted language that is similar to that adopted for other counties. The request would be to add the following language to the California Government Code:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a private, nonprofit hospital in the County of El Dorado may enter into a joint powers agreement with a public agency, as defined in Section 6500.”
If the Board approves, the language will be submitted to Assemblyman Bigelow with the sponsorship request.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to pursue legislation, leaving the current law unchanged. The local hospitals would not be able to participate on the JPA boards.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOL...
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