CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

98

Introduced by Senator Grove

(Coauthors: Senators Valladares and Weber Pierson)

April 30, 2026

Relative to Hospital Week in California.

WHEREAS, More than 450 rural, suburban, and urban hospitals throughout California provide critical access to care, supporting the health and well-being of diverse communities, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and

WHEREAS, California hospitals serve as trusted community institutions during times of illness, injury, and public health emergencies, whether it be when a child’s fever spikes at 2 a.m. or surgery is needed on Super Bowl Sunday; and

WHEREAS, California hospitals rely on a dedicated workforce of hundreds of thousands of physicians, nurses, allied health care professionals, and others whose skill and dedication are fundamental to patient safety and quality care; and

WHEREAS, California has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the nation, reflecting the strength of its hospitals and maternity care services; and

WHEREAS, California hospitals are there in the darkest times to provide hope and healing for all, including 700,000 patient visits for mental health care; and

WHEREAS, Hospital emergency departments in California are visited 15,500,000 times a year, underscoring their importance as a vital access point for urgent and lifesaving care; and

WHEREAS, California hospitals train more than 15,000 doctors each year, representing a critical investment in the future of the state’s health care workforce; and

WHEREAS, Hospitals throughout California generate more than $406,000,000,000 in economic activity, playing a critical role in supporting jobs and local businesses; and

WHEREAS, California hospitals and their staff continue to meet increasing patient care demands while navigating workforce shortages and other significant operational challenges; and

WHEREAS, Rural hospitals, despite being financially distressed, are vital to maintaining access to care for low-income communities, seniors, and Medi-Cal and Medicare beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, When a hospital reduces services, enters bankruptcy, or closes entirely, the impacts extend beyond health care access and can harm local economies, strain emergency medical systems, worsen health disparities, and force patients to travel long distances for emergency treatment, maternity care, specialty services, and other medically necessary care; and

WHEREAS, Preserving hospitals in rural and underserved areas is essential to protecting public health, promoting equity, and ensuring that all Californians can obtain timely and appropriate medical care; and

WHEREAS, National Hospital Week will be recognized during the week of May 10, 2026, to May 16, 2026, inclusive; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Legislature hereby designates the week of May 10, 2026, to May 16, 2026, inclusive, as Hospital Week in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.