This page provides links to various media coverage about the controversies
surrounding the LHH rebuild project, the change in mission and
admissions policies at Laguna Honda Hospital, and other issues
facing LHH. [Note:
This page is being reconstructed, although slowly, from published
media reports; check back frequently for updates.]
Altercations at Laguna Honda
More violent patients are going
to Laguna Honda
by Matier & Ross, San Francisco Chronicle, June 7,
2004.
A 25-year-old male LHH resident suspected of being a gang member
was arrested and found to have two bags of marijuana following
an assault on a 50-year-old disabled LHH resident. Laguna
Honda’s chief of staff had previously written to Mitch Katz,
Director of Public Health, on April 7 expressing strong objections
to the pressures Dr. Katz had applied to the LHH medical staff
to admit or readmit dangerous patients, creating “undue hazards
for all Laguna Honda patients.”
Possible security upgrades after
alleged attack at hospital
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer, San Francisco
Chronicle, July 16, 2004.
An alleged sexual attack on a 37-year-old woman with multiple
sclerosis has raised concerns about whether security at Laguna
Honda Hospital is adequate. [Update:
As of May 21, 2005, additional security at LHH has not been implemented;
although the Department of Public Health has requested additional
funding for security personnel in its FY ’05–’06
budget submission to the Mayor, it will likely be September or
October 2005 before additional security positions are filled,
nearly 15 months after assault of this patient.]
Admissions Policy
Health activist sues Laguna Honda
over new admissions policy
by Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Staff Writer, San Francisco
Chronicle, July 23, 2004.
San Francisco public health activist Michael Lyon filed two lawsuits
against the City hoping to stop a new admissions policy at Laguna
Honda Hospital that gave priority to San Francisco General Hospital.
Louise Renne
The High Life: Breathing in sleaziness
at the rarefied and urbane levels of San Francisco political life
by Matt Smith, Columnist, SF Weekly, December 22, 2004.
In an interesting article about a meeting he had with Louise Renne,
former City Attorney, current President of the Board of Directors
for the LHH Foundation, a current Police Commissioner appointed
by Mayor Newsom, and the former head of Newsom’s transition
team, Matt Smith wrote: “… The list grew longer last
week, as state auditors revealed scandal-plagued Secretary of
State Kevin Shelley improperly diverted $220,000 in federal voting
act funds to Renne’s firm, which [law firm] includes as a
principal Jon Holtzman, the treasurer of Shelley’s political
campaign ...”. [Note:
The LHH Foundation’s mission was to raise $40 million
for furniture, fixture, and equipment (FFE) for the LHH replacement
facility. On May 20, 2005, Susan Cook Hoganson, Executive
Director of the LHH Foundation wrote in response to a public records
request: “As of today, the operations of the Laguna
Honda Foundation have been suspended.”]
Laguna Honda Rebuild
$100 million turns up, debate
ensues Laguna Honda work might benefit -- but mayor isn’t
sure
by Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Staff Writer, San Francisco
Chronicle, May 20, 2005.
Mayor Newsom’s announcement of City Controller Harrington’s
report released on May 19 that additional tobacco settlement funds
may be available available for the rebuild of the Laguna Honda
hospital.
_______
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