Job of Núñez's wife at issue

Shortly after Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez became a point man in the fight to expand health care for the uninsured, his wife accepted a lucrative job with close ties to hospitals that have a massive financial stake in such reform.

Maria Robles was hired as president of the nonprofit Californians for Patient Care in January, one month after Núñez introduced a bill declaring his intent to provide "affordable, quality health care coverage" to all Californians.

State law does not bar Robles from such employment, but it means that much of her salary – which apparently exceeds $100,000 – stems from contributions to the nonprofit agency by a powerful special interest that stands to gain billions if Núñez's health care efforts succeed.

Robles said she has never discussed health care reform with her husband.

"Fabian and I have this agreement," she said. "First of all, we don't see each other very much. When we do, we don't talk business. We just can't. The marriage would never survive."

But Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, said Robles' job can create the perception that special interests are paying Núñez indirectly.

"It certainly doesn't hurt them to have a financial relationship with his wife, even if she's doing absolutely nothing to influence Núñez," Stern said. "He has to know where the money is coming from."

Californians for Patient Care says its goal is to "preserve and improve a health care system that will be available when you, your family members or your friends and neighbors need it most."

The 3-year-old nonprofit agency does not employ lobbyists and makes no political contributions, records show.

Robles supervises a two-person staff whose primary job is to create a database of health care resources for Californians who lack private insurance. Her role also involves soliciting funds for future years, although she has not yet begun to do so, she said.

State law requires Robles to disclose her employment to the Fair Political Practices Commission, but not until March, more than a year after the latest health care debate began.

Robles declined to provide her salary, but she replaced Kristine Yahn, who received more than $140,000 per year, records show.

Núñez defended the right of his wife, a registered nurse, to accept the job.

"She's been in the (medical field) longer than you and I have been talking about health care," Núñez said. "And she's not been involved in policy in any way, shape or form."

Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said bankrolling a job for the wife of a legislative leader can do more for a special interest than a campaign contribution would.

"This is lifestyle protection," he said. "It's a way to provide personal financial benefits to a politician whose votes you depend on."

In announcing Robles' hire, Californians for Patient Care touted both her "political acumen" and her nursing expertise in emergency room care, oncology, pulmonary medicine, research, utilization and case management.

The group is not legally required to report its donors, and Robles declined to do so voluntarily. But by all accounts, the Sacramento nonprofit agency has close ties to the California Hospital Association.

C. Duane Dauner, president of the association, said his group worked with others to create the nonprofit agency in 2004, "because we felt it was important for there to be an organization to speak for patients."

Dauner said he doesn't know precisely what percentage of Californians for Patient Care's funding has come from his group.

"But we've given a substantial amount of it," said Dauner, whose association represents 450 hospitals and health systems.

The California Nurses Association, in a bulletin for members, characterized Californians for Patient Care two years ago as a "hospital industry front group."

"Now, to have (Núñez's) wife in a position to essentially lobby for the hospital industry, we think it's an enormous specter of concern," Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro said.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Jim Sanders can be reached at (916) 326-5538 or jsanders@sacbee.com.