NEWS

Bill to Track Hospital-Acquired Illnesses Helped Along by Unions

Owen Poindexter | September 24, 2010

Based on the August 25, 2010 final passage vote in the Assembly on AB 542, State and local government unions gave $30,345 on average to assembly members voting yes and a mere $1,031 on average to those voting no. The bill has been enrolled (passed both chambers) and awaits action by the governor.

The bill was supported by unions and split insurance groups. Accident and health insurance groups supported it, but property and casualty insurance groups opposed.

AB 542 would require the medical director and the director of nursing of a hospital to annually report adverse events and hospital acquired conditions to its governing board. It would also require the State Health Department to convene an annual working group to discuss the findings from these reports.

Includes reported contributions to campaigns of Assemblymembers voting 'Yes' or 'No' in office on day of vote, from State & local government employee unions interest groups, July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2010. Contriubtions data source: FollowTheMoney.org