Santa Paula (Calif.) Hospital is at risk of closing by 2030 due to California’s seismic requirements for hospitals, a spokesperson for the hospital confirmed with Becker’s.
California’s seismic requirements date back decades, after major earthquakes in 1971 and 1994 pushed lawmakers to require all hospitals meet safety standard upgrades by 2030. In 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved limited extensions for rural, “distressed” or smaller facilities, but vetoed a broader five-year delay and moved for case-by-case reviews.
“This situation is further complicated by financial constraints and legislative limitations, such as those imposed by HR1 [the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act], which could create additional stress on public hospital systems and their financing,” the spokesperson said.
Santa Paula Hospital is an acute care, 49-bed general community facility and is part of Ventura (Calif.) County Health Care Agency. The hospital is also a campus of Ventura County Medical Center, according to VCMC’s website.
The Ventura County Health Care Agency is “actively seeking strategies” to ensure care is continued in the area, the spokesperson said.
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