Business leaders in the city of Watsonville have sought to raise the $67 million needed to acquire the hospital, which filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2021.
Now, after a $4.5 million pledge from Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, health officials are within $1.6 million of that $67 million goal, Santa Cruz County administrative officer Carlos Palacios said, according to KSBW.
With the recent pledge, Pajaro Valley Health Care District can close the purchase of the hospital next week, the news station reported.
Mr. Palacios said the healthcare district made offers to all 600 hospital employees to become employees of the healthcare district, effective Sept. 1.
Watsonville Community Hospital CEO Steven Salyer and his management team will remain at the helm.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
