[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 140 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1285-E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY AT SETON HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2016

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Daughters of 
Charity Health System as it turns over ownership of Seton Hospital in 
Daly City to Integrity Healthcare and Blue Mountain Capital Management. 
The Daughters leave Seton having contributed mightily to the health 
care of 1.5 million residents in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. 
Hundreds of thousands of patients have come through the doors of Seton 
since 1986, when the Daughters assumed responsibility for the hospital.
  Seton Hospital Daly City began its existence as Mary's Help Hospital 
in San Francisco in 1912. As of 2011, with 357 licensed beds, 1,500 
staff, over 400 physicians, 4,800 surgical cases and 28,000 emergency 
visits annually, Seton Hospital was mission central for medical care in 
northern San Mateo County. During this time, the Daughters of Charity 
worked aggressively to meet their mission of providing care for the 
poor, as evidenced by the annual $30 million of community benefit that 
the hospital offered. Nearly $50 million of care was offered to the 
elderly.
  Mr. Speaker, the hospital is a Gold Certified Stroke Center and in 
2013 received awards from the Hospital Council of Northern and Central 
California for reducing deaths from sepsis. Among its key services are 
cardiovascular, oncology, and orthopedics. Its coastal hospital, Seton 
Coastside, provides 116 skilled nursing facility beds for our elderly. 
Even as the recession took its toll on the finances of Seton and the 
Daughters, the institution persevered. Children were born, broken bones 
were set, cancer went into remission, blood clots were cleared so that 
hearts began to beat normally again, and hope was reborn each day at 
Seton Hospital in Daly City. The physicians and staff of this wonderful 
institution are beloved, and justifiably so.
  It is not easy to operate a modern American hospital. Our Medicare 
rates impose strict financial discipline and our Medicaid program 
offers reimbursements that are an insult to our nation's conscience. We 
hope that health insurance for more persons will improve access to 
health care and ultimately boost health outcomes.
  Mr. Speaker, after many decades of service in the north county and on 
the coast, the Daughters of Charity have decided to transition the 
administration to a different organization. In our community, the 
Daughters have acted with integrity and been resourceful despite the 
odds. Now, as the Daughters of Charity transition from ownership of 
Seton they will leave the community knowing that they served us 
exceptionally well. We thank the Daughters of Charity for seeing a 
purpose for their organization in serving San Francisco and San Mateo 
counties. Their hilltop temple to modern medicine will now be operated 
by someone else, but their dedication to our lives and to our families 
will be remembered and honored for years to come

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