INDIO, CA — Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) announced today that two hospitals serving Assembly District 36, Palo Verde Hospital and El Centro Regional Medical Center, have been selected to receive funding through California’s new Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program established by Assembly Bill 108.
Assemblyman Gonzalez voted YES on AB 108 earlier this month to help ensure struggling hospitals in rural and underserved communities can continue providing critical healthcare services to residents.
“Healthcare access is not optional, especially in rural communities like ours,” said Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez. “When hospitals are struggling financially, families across Imperial County and eastern Riverside County feel the impact immediately. I was proud to support AB 108 because our communities deserve reliable emergency care and lifesaving treatment close to home.”
Under the program, Palo Verde Hospital was awarded $3 million, while El Centro Regional Medical Center received $11 million to help address immediate financial challenges and maintain access to critical healthcare services for local residents.
“These hospitals are essential to the health and safety of our region,” Gonzalez said. “This funding will help stabilize critical healthcare services and protect access to care for thousands of residents who depend on these facilities every day.”
BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is administering the $25 million Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program, which provides one-time emergency funding to hospitals experiencing significant financial distress and at risk of closure.
HCAI received 11 applications requesting more than $123 million in assistance. Following a competitive review process evaluating financial distress, operational sustainability, geographic access, and available resources, four hospitals statewide were selected for funding, including Palo Verde Hospital and El Centro Regional Medical Center.
The program was authorized through Assembly Bill 108 and signed into law earlier this month.
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