California hospitals are asking lawmakers to reduce 2030 state seismic safety standards due to the potential compliance cost involved, according to Southern California TV station KABC.
State law requires hospitals to upgrade buildings to reduce their risk of collapse during earthquakes by 2020. The 2030 standards require the facilities to remain operational after an earthquake.
Most hospitals in the state are compliant with the 2020 standards. However, hospitals say the 2030 earthquake regulations could cost billions and may force facilities to close, according to the report, which cites a study paid for by the California Hospital Association.
Hospitals estimate it could cost up to $143 billion to comply with the 2030 standards.
Labor unions reportedly are against scaling back the 2030 earthquake regulations, saying that would be a "multibillion bailout on seismic safety standards."
Read the full KABC report here.
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