CA AB334

Amends Health and Safety Code Section 101850 to establish an independent hospital authority to manage the Alameda Health System (formerly Alameda County Medical Center) beginning January 1, 2015.

Prohibits the hospital authority from contracting with private entities or subsidiaries to replace services provided by employed physicians and surgeons in recognized collective bargaining units (as of March 31, 2013) before January 1, 2024, without clear and convincing evidence that care can only be delivered cost-effectively by a private contractor.

Requires the hospital authority to negotiate with physician and surgeon employee representatives over privatization decisions and submit disputes to final binding arbitration if unresolved.

Establishes that the hospital authority is a separate legal entity from the county, but the county retains ultimate responsibility for indigent care and control over medical center facilities and property.

Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to protect the employment status of represented physicians at the Alameda Health System.