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California Health And Safety Code Section 1256.2

Legal Research Home > California Lawyer > Health and Safety Code > California Health And Safety Code Section 1256.2

(a) (1) No general acute care hospital may promulgate
policies or implement practices that determine differing standards of
obstetrical care based upon a patient's source of payment or ability
to pay for medical services.
   (2) Each hospital holding an obstetrical services permit shall
provide the licensing and certification division of the department
with a written policy statement reflecting paragraph (1) and shall
post written notices of this policy in the obstetrical admitting
areas of the hospital by July 1, 1999.  Notices posted pursuant to
this section shall be posted in the predominant language or languages
spoken in the hospital's service area.
   (b) It shall constitute unprofessional conduct within the meaning
of the Medical Practice Act, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000)
of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, for a physician
or surgeon to deny, or threaten to withhold pain management services
from a woman in active labor, based upon that patient's source of
payment, or ability to pay for medical services.

Last modified: January 12, 2009