§ 27.02. Findings and Purpose.

The people of the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, find and declare as follows:

(1)

San Luis Obispo General Hospital has, for over 100 years, provided essential health care services to the residents of San Luis Obispo County.

(2)

Throughout its history General Hospital has been a publicly run facility, owned by the residents of San Luis Obispo County, and operated on behalf of the residents of San Luis Obispo County by the County of San Luis Obispo.

(3)

The employees of General Hospital have provided, and continue to provide quality health care services to the residents of San Luis Obispo County.

(4)

General Hospital plays a unique and critical role in keeping the residents of San Luis Obispo County healthy by fulfilling the obligation to provide care to the indigent and underserved, to Medicare and Medi-Cal patients, and to all expectant mothers regardless of their ability to pay.

(5)

Any decision to close, sell, lease or otherwise transfer the management of General Hospital will significantly and permanently impact the health care delivery system in San Luis Obispo County.

Therefore, the residents of San Luis Obispo County, as the owners of General Hospital including all its assets, both tangible and intangible, have the right to approve or disapprove any proposal to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of these assets by a vote of the people.