SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has been identified by California’s Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) as one of seven high-cost hospitals in the state, prompting renewed discussion about rising health care costs and affordability.
The designation is based on factors including hospital prices and spending patterns—not the quality of care.
Katie Van Deynze with Health Access California said Cottage was selected from more than 400 hospitals statewide…