Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System (AHS), formerly Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC), is an integrated public health care system organized as a public hospital authority.[1]
Formerly operated by Alameda County, California, it now has an independent board of trustees appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. It operates 4 hospitals (Highland Hospital, John George Psychiatric Hospital, Fairmont Hospital, San Leandro Hospital) and four primary care medical clinics (called ambulatory Wellness Centers) within the County.[2] In March 2013, ACMC officially changed its name to Alameda Health System.[3]
History
The system began as the Alameda County Infirmary in 1864.[1] In the 1920s, it became the Fairmont Hospital, the first public rehabilitation center in the western United States.[1] In 1927, Highland Hospital was established.[1] In the 1960s, Ambulatory Health Care Services, a network of neighborhood-based health clinics called Wellness Centers, was established.[1] In the 1992, an acute psychiatric hospital, John George Psychiatric Pavilion, above Fairmont Hospital was opened.[1]
In the 1990s, the three hospitals, along with the Wellness Centers, were consolidated to form the Alameda County Medical Center.[1]
Throughout the 1990s, ACMC faced structural deficits resulting from changes in the American health care industry.[4] On July 11, 1996, California State Assembly Bill 2374 (AB 2374) was passed to permit Alameda County to establish a public health authority to manage, administer and control the Alameda County Medical Center.[4] On July 1, 1998, the Board of Supervisors formally handed control of ACMC to a newly formed Medical Center Hospital Authority.[5]
AHS received a $200 million bailout from Alameda County in the 1990s, and as of 2013 still owes about $130 million. In addition, a half-cent sales tax from local Measure A has provided financial relief, including $105.5 million in fiscal year, 2010-11.
A new outpatient care center, at its main location, Highland Hospital, opened in May 2013. In 2015, an acute care center is slated to open.[6]
Locations
Hospitals
- Highland Hospital, Oakland. ACMC's offices are located here.
- Fairmont Hospital, San Leandro
- John George Psychiatric Pavilion, San Leandro (named after county supervisor John George)
- Alameda Hospital, Alameda, Community Hospital in the Island of Alameda, CA
- San Leandro Hospital, San Leandro, CA
Primary care clinics
- Hayward Wellness Center, Hayward
- Eastmont Wellness Center, Eastmont Town Center, Oakland
- Newark Wellness Center, Newark
- Highland Wellness Center, Oakland
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Our History". Alameda Health System. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ↑ http://www.alamedahealthsystem.org
- ↑ Woodall, Angela (10 March 2013). "ACMC changes name to Alameda Health System as Affordable Care Act reform nears". Oakland Tribune. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- 1 2 "BILL NUMBER: AB 2374". Official California Legislative Information. 11 July 1996. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ↑ "ALAMEDA COUNTY: Hospital Authority To Take Health Care Reins". California Healthline. 25 June 1998. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ↑
External links
Coordinates: 37°47′52″N 122°13′55″W / 37.79778°N 122.23194°W