SENIOR SENATE FEDERAL PROPOSAL NO. 7

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR SENATOR WOODS

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SFP 7: MINIMUM HOSPITAL STAY

UNDER EXISTING LAW, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE PROVIDED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, INCLUDING SURGERY AND HOSPITALIZATION UNDER FEDERAL MEDICARE AND, IN SOME CASES, MEDICAID PROGRAMS.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR A MINIMUM 24 HOUR HOSPITAL STAY FOR ANY SENIOR CITIZEN WHO UNDERGOES INVASIVE SURGERY.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SFP 7: RELATING TO MANDATORY MINIMUM 24 HOUR HOSPITAL STAY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO UNDERGO INVASIVE SURGERY

WHEREAS, GUARANTEEING SENIOR CITIZENS COVERED BY MEDICARE OR MEDICAID A MINIMUM 24 HOUR HOSPITAL STAY FOLLOWING INVASIVE SURGERY WOULD AID IN THEIR RECOVERY AND SAFEGUARD THEM AGAINST SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT CAN RESULT FROM EARLY HOSPITAL DISCHARGE; AND

WHEREAS, THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS INCLUDE FEVER FROM INFECTION, DELIRIUM, ADVERSE REACTION TO ANESTHESIA, HYPERTENSION, VOMITING, AND BLEEDING; AND

WHEREAS, THIS COVERAGE WOULD HELP SENIORS ENJOY A HEALTHY AGING PROCESS; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2009 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR A MINIMUM 24 HOUR HOSPITAL STAY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS UNDERGOING INVASIVE SURGERY; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES ON AGING, AND TO EACH SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.

RN 09 16489

- 0 -