The West Contra Costa Healthcare District board, which oversees the hospital, made the decision this week, and estimated it will take $5.3 million to close the hospital responsibly, according to the report
Doctors Medical Center, which primarily serves low-income and uninsured populations in West Contra Costa County, has been dealing with a financial crisis for the last several years. Last summer, DMC scaled back functions by sending ambulances to other parts of the county to reduce the number of emergency department patients.
The board had planned to consider starting the closure on April 14, but decided on April 21 so it can weigh a last-minute proposal from entrepreneur and consultant Larry Anderson, according to the report. However, according to the report, Mr. Anderson, whose proposal would involve converting the facility into a for-profit hospital, told board members he didn’t know if the additional time would be long enough for something to come together.
The West Contra Costa Healthcare District board has the option of reversing its decision if the right opportunity was available in the near future.
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