Mixed public reaction at joint Planning and Health commissions as CPMC outlines multi‑campus rebuild

California Pacific Medical Center told a joint meeting of the San Francisco Planning Commission and Health Commission on March 10 that its long‑range rebuild is intended to meet state seismic standards and modernize care across four campuses, but community members pressed the hospital for stronger, enforceable commitments on charity care and access for low‑income neighborhoods.

Elizabeth Waddy of the Planning Department opened the session and framed the series of informational hearings, saying tonight would focus on CPMC's health‑care delivery plan and that architecture and urban form will be addressed at the April 21 hearing. Barbara Garcia, director of the Department of Public Health, told the commissions the health department had passed two resolutions providing a framework for the department’s position and that a report describing how CPMC has addressed health commission recommendations will be released to commissioners next week.

Warren Browner, chief executive officer of California Pacific Medical Center, outlined the hospital’s rationale for concentrating specialty services. He emphasized seismic requirements under state law (Senate Bill 1953) and presented a timetable to bring facilities up to the SPC‑5 standard, saying the plan would allow CPMC to “remain operational in the event of a major earthquake.” Browner…