Sacramento - Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced), Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) and Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) released the following statement following the ruling made today in bankruptcy court:
“The federal judge’s decision today regarding Madera Community Hospital’s bankruptcy proceedings is disappointing. We hoped that the court would have granted UCSF, Adventist Health, and Madera County the opportunity to move forward and provide a full presentation of their joint venture to purchase and reopen Madera Community Hospital – to show what it could mean immediately for the residents and the long-term viability of this hospital for the region. In our view, it would have shown their commitment to reopen Madera Community Hospital quickly.
“Today’s ruling, however, was only one step in the process. A turnaround plan and an overall proposal – plus a commitment to new management for the hospital – still needs approval from the California Department of Health Care and Information, the California Department of Public Health, and the Office of the Attorney General.
“We believe the UCSF-Adventist Health-Madera County plan would ensure the access to quality health care that the residents so desperately need, and that this plan would bring stability to the lives of these people, many of whom come from disadvantaged and rural communities.
“We also believe this plan brings critical advantages – UCSF would attract and train a medical workforce vitally needed in our region, while the partnership with Adventist Health and Madera County would quickly rebuild community trust in a health care system that will serve them for decades to come.”
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