California Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) introduced a new bill Feb. 17 that would require nonprofit hospitals to obtain the attorney general's approval before shuttering the facility, according to the East Bay Times.
California hospitals are currently required to provide a 90-day notice to the Department of Public Health prior to closure. If the bill passes, hospitals would also be required to hold at least one public hearing and receive approval from the attorney general before shutting down, according to the report.
Officials hope the legislation will allow regulators more leverage to counter potential hospital closings, according to the report.
According to a Los Angeles Times investigation, 50 California hospitals have closed since 1998.
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