Although the closure of Madera Community Hospital increased patient numbers in the area’s hospital, the Fresno-based Community Health System did not accelerate plans for a medical facility on Highway 41 in Madera County.
In 2017, CHS announced the purchase of 200 acres of land at the northeast corner of Route 41 and Avenue 12 as the “final facility in this major development corridor” in the Rio Mesa area of Madera County. .
“Our Madera property plans have always been oriented toward long-term, future expansion potential, and that has not changed in the short time we have learned about the closure of the Madera community.” told to
Construction plans for the Madera facility, including a start date, have not been specified.
Von Tersch said the full impact of hospital closures is not yet known, but said, “We are dependent on hospital care and treatment in areas already severely affected by the shortage of health workers. I’ve seen immediate effects on local residents. Facilities.”
Emergencies in two counties
On Tuesday, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency due to the closure of Madera Hospital. This happens in the same way that local hospitals are strained by large numbers of patients suffering from COVID, RSV, and the flu.
Dr. Danielle Campagne, director of the emergency department at Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center, spoke at the board meeting on Tuesday. She said downtown hospitals have been so overcrowded lately that trauma patients had to be diverted from the area.The CRMC is the only Level 1 trauma center in Central California.
Last week, Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue declared a state of emergency in the hopes that the closure of the Madera community would lead to state and federal aid to health services in the county.
Related article: Madera Community Hospital Accelerates Closure
Big Challenges Facing Smaller Hospitals: Duarte
R-Modesto Rep. John Duarte said Madera’s hospital could be the first of many to close unless steps are taken to increase patient reimbursement and balance costs and revenues. Federal COVID relief funds have benefited high-end hospitals with surgical centers rather than regional hospitals like Madera, he said.
Authorities are trying to determine what constitutes a “sustainable operating model” for a medium-sized hospital, Duarte said, adding: We pay $3 million a month for structural shortcomings in community hospitals. “
GV Wire reporter David Taub contributed to this article.
