Bill would authorize temporary emergency stabilization center in Patterson while permanent hospital planned

Assemblymember Alan East presented AB 22 82 to address a 20‑mile travel gap for Patterson residents by authorizing the Department of Public Health to waive licensing so a publicly owned hospital can operate a rural emergency stabilization care unit (a "rescue") while a permanent hospital is planned and built. The district sponsor described the proposal as a narrow, accountable bridge to provide screenings, triage and stabilization with on‑site physician and nursing staffing and EMTALA protections.

Supporters from Del Porto Health Care District and local ambulance representatives said long transport times and lengthy off‑line periods for ambulances justify the rescue unit; they emphasized the unit would stabilize patients and transfer those needing higher care. Emergency medicine groups, represented by the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, opposed the bill on grounds that freestanding emergency departments can threaten the financial stability of nearby hospitals with low payer mixes and might not address broader regional safety‑net fragility. Committee members discussed tradeoffs between immediate access and long‑term system impacts and deferred action until quorum.