Watsonville Community Hospital Warns It May Close Within a Year
Watsonville Community Hospital in California has about eight days of cash on hand and a daily cash shortfall of $85,000, according to an Oct. 15 news release reported by Becker's Hospital Review. Interim CEO Tim Moran says the hospital could close within six to 12 months without structural financial changes, and the Pajaro Valley Health Care District will hold an Oct. 22 town hall to discuss possible service reductions. Hospital leaders say one-time funding and loans cannot close the gap, that four years of efforts with partners and the state have not produced a committed long-term solution, and that looming state and federal policy changes are expected to further reduce revenue. The hospital says it remains open to partnerships but cannot risk losing the facility entirely while it waits.