Riverside County has secured $8.9 million for Blythe’s troubled hospital from a state program, and another $1 million in funding is expected soon.
The funding comes through California’s Medi-Cal Intergovernmental Transfer program, administered by the California Department of Health Care Services.
To get the funding, local entities have to chip in to get matching federal funds.
Riverside County, which now controls Palo Verde Hospital for a temporary six-month period, contributed $3.4 million this week in order to secure the matching funds.
An earlier attempt by Palo Verde to use $4 million it had borrowed to secure the other funding was rejected by the state, which does not allow the source of the matching funds to be a loan. That rejection prompted hospital officials to consider closure.
As of Friday, Feb. 27, the Palo Verde Healthcare District has received approximately $8.9 million in program funds, according to the county. It was previously estimated that the district could expect $9.9 million total from the program.
The county states that those funds are critical to stabilize the hospital’s emergency department, clinic and supporting departments, which have been on the brink of closure for over a year.
“This is one step closer on ensuring the Palo Verde Hospital has the leadership and, ultimately, health care provisions it deserves,” Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a statement.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will discuss the state program, along with the county’s management plan and other related items, at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 3.
Riverside County took temporary control of Blythe’s troubled hospital on Monday, Feb. 23. The management plan consists of a stakeholder “strike force” to independently stabilize and manage Palo Verde Hospital’s emergency department for approximately six months to maintain emergency medical services, assess current conditions and develop recommendations for next steps.
Palo Verde Hospital is the only one serving the Blythe area, which is at the far eastern edge of Riverside County along the Arizona border. Many residents have relied on La Paz Regional Hospital in Parker, Arizona, which is about 45 miles away, but another small facility. Other options are JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and Colorado River Medical Center in Needles — both approximately a two-hour drive away from Blythe.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Riverside County secures $8.9M in new funding for Blythe hospital
Reporting by Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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