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Health commission: Saint Mary27s PROS and wound clinic closure will have a detrimental impact under Prop Q
Summary
After hearing follow-up information from Saint Mary27s, the San Francisco Health Commission voted 5-1 (with 1 abstention) that the planned closure of the PROS and wound clinic would have a detrimental impact on community health services and urged the hospital to improve its Prop Q processes.
The commission considered a resolution under Proposition Q regarding the proposed closure of the PROS and Wound Care Clinic at Saint Mary27s Medical Center. Margine Sacco, representing Saint Mary27s, described outreach efforts and a sample of follow-up phone calls to former patients; she said the hospital reached 17 of 31 sampled patients and assisted those who needed continuing care.
Commissioner O27Rourke moved a resolution that the closure would have a detrimental impact on availability of these services in the community and urged Saint Mary27s leadership to adopt policies assuring timely initiation of Prop Q hearings when required. Commissioner Karschmer recused herself because of prior involvement with the hospital27s community advisory board. After discussion the commission voted to adopt the resolution; the clerk recorded the outcome as 5 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention. The resolution also noted that many patients at the clinic were covered by Medicare or commercial insurance and that demand for these services is expected to grow.
Why it matters: Proposition Q gives the Health Commission authority to determine whether proposed actions by hospitals would have a detrimental impact on community health services. The commission27s finding is advisory to Saint Mary27s and is intended to inform the hospital27s decisions and any subsequent community mitigation efforts.
Next steps: The resolution urges Saint Mary27s to develop a policy ensuring timely Prop Q hearings when closures or service changes are proposed; the commission recorded the vote and will file the resolution as part of its public record.
