In Brief: Kaiser Buys Stake In Stockton Hospital; California Gets Above-Average Marks On Pre-Term Births
California Gets Above-Average Marks On Pre-Term Births
California has received a “B” grade for its rate of pre-term births from the March of Dimes, but disparities linger in premature births among African-Americans and other ethnic groups.
According to the March of Dimes’ annual report, California’s pre-term birth rate of 8.3% of all births is significantly below the nationwide rate of 9.6%, which received a “C” grade.
However, some large cities in California had higher pre-term birth rates. Los Angeles had a rate of 9.3%, earning a “C” grade. Fresno had a pre-term birth rate of 10.2%; San Bernardino, 9.7%.
Most major cities in the Bay Area had “B” grades and rates within the statewide average.
California was ranked 16th nationwide in terms of pre-term birth rate disparities among various ethnic groups, including African-Americans, which have the highest rate of pre-term births in the country. Its disparity index was 19, slightly below the nationwide disparity index of 21, but trailing states such as Texas and Virginia.
“Reaching our goal ahead of schedule is progress, but it is not victory -- our work is far from done,” said Jennifer L. Howse, M.D., president of the March of Dimes. “As our new list of city preterm birth rates highlights, many areas of the country, and tens of thousands of families, are not sharing in this success. No baby should have to battle the health consequences of an early birth. All babies, everywhere deserve a healthy start in in life.”
Kaiser Purchases Stake In Stockton Hospital
Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region has purchased a 20% stake in St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton.
Kaiser will own a 20% stake in St. Joseph’s, a 366-bed acute care medical center, which also operates a 35-bed psychiatric facility.
The hospital will continue to be majority-owned by San Francisco-based non-profit chain Dignity Health. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Both St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente have a long and proud record of service to the Stockton-San Joaquin area and we believe this is a great opportunity to learn and innovate together,” said Deborah Friberg, a Kaiser Permanente senior vice president.
The deal gives Kaiser greater entree to Stockton, the only major city in the northern San Joaquin Valley where it does not operate its own facility. It has an affiliation deal with 202-bed Dameron Hospital, but does not own a stake in its operations. It will also likely mean a financial shot in the arm for St. Joseph’s, which lost $8.7 million in the most rlast year, according to data it submitted to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
As a result of the deal, St. Joseph’s will expand its emergency room and other operations in the hospital. It will also be considered an in-network facility for those enrolled in Kaiser’s insurance plan.
“We look forward to welcoming Kaiser Permanente members and physicians,” said Don Wiley, St. Joseph’s chief executive officer. “We are excited about the opportunity to enhance our capabilities and collaborate for the benefit of our patients, physicians and the community.”
