Save Alta Bates Hospital

Many of you have reached out to my office with concerns about the future of Sutter Health’s Alta Bates Hospital which has begun moving, and is planning to move more, critical services to their Summit Campus in Oakland by 2030.

Our residents’ health is very important to me. Since Sutter’s announcement about the closure, I have been meeting with various stakeholders, including Sutter Health leadership. I participate and help lead the  Mayor’s Task Force to Save Alta bates. Sutter has confirmed that they are shifting many services to other campuses, but stated that they intend to keep the campus for outpatient services and other uses. Since this time, the media has picked up on this very important issue as well. I will keep you all abreast of any updates/findings from the commissions and information regarding Sutter Health Alta Bates.

2018

Release of draft Health Impact Assessment, commissioned by the Task Force to Save Alta Bates

Read the assessment here.

Save Alta Bates Campaign at the Solano Stroll

2017

Community Forum to Save Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley

My office worked closely with Mayor Jesse Arreguín, my fellow Councilmembers Hahn and Harrison, the California Nurses Association, and leaders of the surrounding communities to organize this forum to educate residents about the planned closure and call on Alta Bates to keep their full service acute care hospital open.

Amending the Municipal Code to Ensure Public Awareness in Advance of Hospital Closures

The Mayor, Councilmember Sophie Hahn, Councilmember Kriss Worthington and I co-sponsored an amendment to our municipal code regulating changes to health care facilities. Among other specifications, this item ensured that appropriate notice is delivered and posted and public hearings are conducted prior to the closing of a hospital, clinic, or outpatient facility that serves the City of Berkeley. In addition, Council also be voted to adopt a resolution supporting Senate Bill 687, authored by our State Senator Nancy Skinner, which will give the State Attorney General the authority to oversee and consent to the sale/closure of nonprofit hospitals and emergency rooms.

Mayor Arreguin Convenes Task Force to Save Alta Bates

Learn more about the Task Force here.

2016 

Assess Impact of Hospital Closure

Berkeley City Council unanimously approved a referral that Councilmember Laurie Capitelli and I wrote (and Susan Wengraf and Darryl Moore co-sponsored) requesting that the City’s Community Health Commission and Disaster and Fire Safety Commission assess the impact and potential changes of Alta Bates on our community.