April 13, 2015

Senator Ed Hernandez,
Chair, Senate Health Committee
State Capitol, Room 2191
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Hernandez,
On behalf of Family Service of Napa Valley, I am writing to express our opposition to SB 346 because of serious
concerns regarding the impact the bill will have on existing partnerships between hospitals and community benefit
organizations like ours.
As you know, Californias community benefit law has been in place and working since 1994 and serves as a model for
the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This unnecessary legislation, SB 346, conflicts with provisions of the ACA and will
increase costs for the states government and hospitals to comply with inconsistent federal and state reporting
requirements.
Currently, hospitals work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to assess local health needs and tailor
services and investments to address each communitys specific needs. Family Service of Napa Valley has embraced
this collaboration and is making great strides in ensuring that our most vulnerable populations have the health care
services they need.
We believe the partnerships between hospitals and community benefit organizations like ours are critical in
addressing local health needs. Family Service of Napa Valley provides mental health care and our partner is Queen of
the Valley Medical Center/Community Outreach Department in Napa California. SB 346 does nothing to strengthen
successful community benefit partnerships like ours and could lead to program cutbacks throughout California,
impacting the diverse and vulnerable populations we serve.
SB 346 is nearly identical to similar measures (AB 503 in 2014, AB 975 in 2013) that were debated and
overwhelmingly defeated in the Legislature. SB 346 and its predecessors represent a political solution for which no
problem exists. By eliminating the ability of hospitals to tailor programs to their specific communitys needs, SB 346
would limit access to care, cause deep medical cuts and harm the partnership between hospitals and community
benefit groups.
Policy makers and health care providers must focus on expanding access to quality, affordable medical care, as well as
services like those provided by Family Service of Napa Valley. SB 346 imposes vague, unrealistic and costly mandates
that will ultimately limit access, not enhance it.
We respectfully urge your opposition, in order to preserve vitally-needed services like ours.
Sincerely,

Rob Weiss, LCSW

Executive Director
CC: Senator Lois Wolk, Assemblyman Bill Dodd, Congressman Mike Thompson