Catalina Island Hospital Saved From Imminent Closure

LONG BEACH, CA — Catalina Island's only hospital was offered a lifeline Wednesday after securing $3 million from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Catalina Island Health was facing "serious financial challenges," according to a statement by Los Angeles County officials, and was just a few months away from closing.

On Wednesday, the Board voted 4 to 0 to approve Supervisor Janice Hanh's motion to allocate $3 million in one-time Measure B funding to the hospital.

“If Catalina Island Health were to close, it would not only be disastrous to the health and well-being of Avalon residents and visitors, but it would also have a dangerous ripple effect across our county’s emergency medical response system,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement.

Measure B, according to county officials, was approved in 2002 to help fund trauma centers, emergency medical services and bioterrorrism responses across the county.

“This Measure B funding, approved by taxpayers to preserve trauma centers and emergency rooms, will keep Catalina Island Health’s doors open to patients while we work on a long-term solution to keep this hospital operating and saving lives long into the future," Hahn said.

Catalina Island Health's emergency room treats just under 800 trauma patients each year, according to county officials. Of those hundreds, about 50 end up requiring aerial transportation to hospitals on the mainland.

Were the hospital to close, it would result in deadly delays for patients and could cost the county $14 million each year in helicopter evacuations, according to county officials.

The hospital closing would also impact some of the island's most vulnerable residents as it's the only source for primary, long-term care and mental health care services for many.

Catalina Island Health's CEO, Jason Paret, praised the Board for "providing critical support."

“This funding will allow us to continue to protect lives with 24/7 emergency care, ensure health equity for our underserved community, and avoid a potential healthcare crisis for LA County," Paret said in a statement.

An amendment incorporated into the motion will require the Department of Health Services to work with Catalina Island Health to create an analysis of the hospital's emergency room, including expenditures and staffing, according to county officials.