SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The Assembly Health Committee today approved AB 2599 jointly authored by Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass (D- Baldwin Hills) and Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D- Los Angeles). AB 2599 will codify the agreement between the State of California, the University of California and the County of Los Angeles to reopen Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in South Los Angeles. The measure was unanimously approved on a 17 to 0 vote.

For over 35 years, Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital provided trauma care services, surgery, hospitalization and birthing services to over 1.6 million people that live and work in communities throughout South Los Angeles.

After several high profile and extensively reported incidents regarding patient health and safety issues, Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital was closed in August 2007. For nearly three years, the communities of Compton, Paramount, South Los Angeles, Watts and Willowbrook have been without access to a Tier I trauma center, emergency or other important healthcare services.

Pending approval of AB 2599 and the continued efforts of the University of California and the County of Los Angeles, Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital is scheduled to reopen in 2013.

“AB 2599 is the most significant legislative effort to date needed to reopen Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital and return vital healthcare services to my constituents and residents throughout South Los Angeles,” said Assemblymember Hall. “This measure reaffirms my personal commitment to reopen Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital and I look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger, Speaker Emeritus Bass and legislative leaders to pass this important measure.”

AB 2599 now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.