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Glenn Medical Center regains its critical access status, from a bipartisan effort, offering hope for the hospital’s reopening.
WILLOWS, Calif. — The Glenn Medical Center’s federal critical access status has been restored following a bipartisan deal championed by Senator Adam Schiff and the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
The center is the only hospital in Glenn County, which shuttered its emergency room in October of last year after losing the necessary federal status to remain funded.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revoked Glenn Medical’s “critical access hospital” status last year. Under CMS rules, hospitals must be at least 35 miles apart to qualify. Glenn Medical is 32 miles from Colusa Medical Center — a fact administrators say they were unaware of.
ABC10 spoke with Liz Bethard, who helped lead the facility, in September of last year, who said the loss of status amounted to a 40% cut in funding, one the hospital could not survive. She added CMS relied on Google Maps to measure distances, choosing a route that is often flooded and not typically used by ambulances or patients.
Restoring the center became a focus for Schiff, who announced the proposal to restore status would be included in a bipartisan health agreement, while touring the closed facility earlier in the year.
“For months, I have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to prevent Glenn County from losing its only hospital. Now, I am proud to report that our bill to restore Glenn Medical Center’s status as a critical access hospital has been signed into law, giving Glenn a fighting chance to re-open its doors,” Sen. Schiff said in a statement. “This critical moment for Glenn County’s residents would not have been possible without the incredible work of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa. His efforts to get this bill across the finish line will save lives and forever be a part of his legacy. I likewise want to recognize the work of Sen. Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, who was a great partner in moving this bill in the Senate. Around the country, rural hospitals are in trouble and under enormous financial stress. That’s why I will stay in this fight to help Glenn fully re-open, while working to ensure that all of our communities in California and across the country can keep their hospitals open.”
ABC10 reached out to Glenn Medical Center administrator Lauren Still, who provided the following statement.
“This is another critical hurdle cleared in what has been a year of challenges that often felt insurmountable. I’m deeply grateful for the leadership and support of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Senator Adam Schiff, my team at American Advanced Management, and our Glenn County community partners. With this stability secured, our focus now turns to the significant work ahead: securing the funding necessary to build a new hospital and restore full healthcare services to Willows.”
Though Glenn Medical officials told ABC10, reopening is not a simple process, as it would require physical changes to the hospital.
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