Watsonville Community Hospital in California will either be sold to a new buyer or—if that fails—close by Jan. 28, CEO Steven Salyer announced , according to Good Times Santa Cruz.
In a letter sent to employees, Salyer states that the hospital is facing “significant financial challenges,” which have been compounded by decreased revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Like many health care providers, WCH was forced to borrow millions of dollars to fund its operating losses,” Salyer wrote. “As a stand-alone community hospital, WCH was not able to absorb or avoid these losses.”
While such a closure would be a calamity for South County, the news might not be all bad. The hospital is actively seeking a buyer, Salyer says, and a group of local healthcare professionals and providers has announced its intention to purchase the hospital. Read more.
