Editor’s note: This story was updated Jan. 14 at 8:40 a.m. Central Time.
The Palo Verde Healthcare District has postponed the Jan. 16 closure of Blythe, Calif.-based Palo Verde Hospital and accepted a $330,000 emergency bridge loan from the city, which will be released Jan. 12, a spokesperson from the city confirmed with Becker’s.
“As a condition of the loan, the District agreed to contract with Riverside County (Calif.) or a Riverside County approved management team to assume the day-to-day management and operation of Palo Verde Hospital,” the spokesperson said. “This is intended to provide immediate operational oversight and stability while longer-term solutions are pursued.”
The news comes after the hospital’s CEO, Sandra Anaya, and interim CFO, Michael Rose, said in a Jan. 7 staff report that the facility faced “imminent closure” Jan. 10 if it did not receive at least $2 million in emergency funding by Jan. 9.
“On Dec. 11, 2025, the Palo Verde Healthcare District funded its required contribution to participate in the Voluntary Rate Range Program for Calendar Year 2024,” the report said. “Absent receipt of VRRP funding from one or more managed care plans this week, the hospital faces imminent closure by Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. At that point, the Board will be compelled to consider initiating the dissolution process.”
The hospital had approximately 3.4 days of operating cash remaining at the time of the report.
“If the loan is to be approved with the city, this will allow for approximately one additional week of payroll,” Lena Wade, attorney for the Palo Verde Healthcare District, said during a Jan. 9 Blythe City Council meeting. “This time will allow for discussions with the county, city and other stakeholders regarding transition opportunities.”
Following the loan’s approval, a spokesperson for the hospital said in a Jan. 13 statement shared with Becker’s that the board is focused on finding a “viable path” to secure funds needed to sustain the facility “well into the future.
“No final decisions have been made, and the Board will continue to consider all available options,” the statement said.
