Attorneys representing North Sonoma County Healthcare District, which oversees Healdsburg (Calif.) District Hospital, argue that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors made a mistake in approving Sutter Health’s environmental impact report for its new hospital, alleging the planned hospital does not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Specifically, the healthcare district raised concerns about the planned hospital’s impact on traffic, air quality and noise but also pointed out that smaller district hospitals could face possible closure.
The healthcare district’s attorneys also argued the planned hospital’s bed count falls short of county requirements under the Health Care Access Agreement. Sutter Health countered that its environmental impact report is thorough and square footage and staffing ratios, rather than bed counts, are more important in assessing whether the planned hospital fulfills healthcare access requirements.
Other parties involved in filing the lawsuit, alongside North Sonoma County Healthcare District, are Palm Drive Healthcare District, California Nurses Association and Transportation Solutions Defense Fund.
Sutter Health began construction on its planned hospital last fall and is projected to open in 2014.
Read the news report about the lawsuit over Sutter Health’s planned construction.
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