SAN LEANDRO HOSPITAL | The letter of intent between Sutter Health and Alameda Health System (AHS) to keep San Leandro Hospital open expires July 1. However, if July 2 comes around without a deal in place, don’t worry; says Wright Lassiter, the head of AHS, it’s not the end of the world.
Lassiter told The Citizen this week talks between AHS and Sutter are doing well, but a deal may not be signed by the July 1 deadline oulined in the letter of intent. However, it is not cause for concern, he says.
“I can’t give you a prediction of July 1 or not, but what I can tell you is both parties are working really hard to get it done,” said Lassiter. “So, even if it’s not July 1, we’re working on getting that deal done.”
Last month, Sutter Health, which now owns San Leandro Hospital, offered to transfer title of the facility to AHS at no cost, along with a short-term $22 million subsidy. Under the plan, AHS would keep the hospital’s emergency room open and honor the existing labor agreements. The building’s vacant top floor would also be converted to an acute rehabilitation center.
Also on Wednesday, the Eden Township Healthcare District approved an additional one-time $20 million subsidy which should greatly clarify the situation at the negotiating table.
“We continue to make progress with Sutter on the letter of intent,” added Lassiter. “Our team is working really hard to get through all the details. There’s still a lot more work to be done.”
A Sutter spokesperson declined to speak on the progress of negotiations, but Lassiter assured both parties are “100 percent committed to make it work.”
“As long if we both agree sufficient progress is being made, then that will continue,” Lassiter continued.
Lassiter should be busy over the next few weeks as AHS makes a move in the East Bay to consolidate the area’s underperforming facilities amid the changing healthcare landscape in the dawn before Obamacare more fully comes online next January.
In addition, to the potential San Leandro deal, AHS has a somewhat similar offer to operate Alameda Hospital with a letter of intent that expires July 13. If all goes as planned, both facilities could be operating the umbrella of AHS by year’s end.
ebcitizen.com 
I want to thank Wilma Chan's COS, Mayor Cassidy, Vice Mayor Prola, and others for showing up last Wednesday at the ETHD's Board meeting and helping to secure up to 20 million to keep San Leandro Hospital open.
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June 24-will deal be done by end of week? Tony Santos
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no surprise; deal could have been done in 2009 for some what less money-question on money?? does Sutter's $20 million come from money committed by the District? Also, As long as Sutter operates facility, it discounts it money by $2 million a month; finally, is Districts contribution on top of Sutter's pay out?- Tony Santos
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Hey all you goofus: go to http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/
This is where hospital “outcomes” are evaluated statewide. (2011 stats are available.)
If you go to Eden Medical Center for a stroke, your death rate is 9.2%. If you go to San Leandro Hospital you can stay alive at 3.1%. If you are in heart failure, at Eden you will die at 3.6%, at San Leandro Hospital at 1.3% and don't bother to go to go to Washington Hospital Fremont – 3.5%. I am on the nursing staff at San Leandro Hospital and there is no finer hospital in the bay area.
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And how do you argue with shitty service and outcomes? I still wouldn't go there.
Shall those of us who have been patients there go on????
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I hear eerie silence from all the critics of the yesteryear, clamoring to close SLH. Reason prevailed. How do you argue with reason?
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