Some mental health patients to be diverted to ERs

From the Austin Statesman
More people with mental illnesses could soon be sent to local emergency rooms instead of Austin State Hospital, and hospital officials say that could clog waiting rooms and cause longer waits for medical care throughout the Austin area.
On Nov. 8, the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center will start [...]

Hospitals face fight for tax-exempt status

From the ContraCosta Times
A U.S. senator has warned that if some nonprofit hospitals continue to oppose greater transparency in the community benefits they provide, he may seek stricter requirements on such institutions.“While everyone talks about the need for sunshine, there are a few tax-exempt hospitals in the shadows that are bent on pulling the blinds [...]