Building Towards The Future
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Part of the community for over a century
For more than a century, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, has been delivering quality care to the residents of San Benito County. In 2022, the hospital faced a complex and unprecedented financial crisis – the lingering effects of the Covid 19 pandemic on our cash reserves, the effects of Medicare and MediCal reimbursement shortfalls, and the skyrocketing costs of supplies due to inflation. The results of this created a need to look at alternatives in order to keep access to healthcare local.
What we need you to know
District and Hospital leadership, along with their nationally recognized professional consultants began the herculean task of shoring up the finances of the District in late 2022 and by March of 2023, have been successful in improving the cash outlook of the District. Much more work needs to be done.
In San Benito County, the patient mix is comprised of 75% Medicare/MediCal patients. This means two things: First, that the District is delivering healthcare services to an extremely at-risk population, and that closing would create a healthcare vacuum not easily replaced by simply driving an hour to the next nearest provider. Second, that the payer mix requires the District to think outside the box to remain a viable provider of healthcare services for their community.
Right now, the District provides health care services ranging from trauma and emergency room services, laboratory and imaging services; a birthing center; several community healthcare clinics located throughout the county for easier access to patients; various surgical and inpatient services; and two skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Taken together, these various service lines have seen over 150,000 patient visits in 2022 alone.
Why a strategic partner or buyer is the best option for San Benito County residents
The future of healthcare in San Benito County lies in the ability of the district to find a strategic partner or buyer. Operating a small rural hospital like Hazel Hawkins independently is no longer an option. Across the State, and the country, small hospitals like ours are closing their doors due to high operating costs and staffing shortages and the lingering financial impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic. That’s why the San Benito Health Care District and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital leadership are committed to finding the right partner or buyer - someone who shares our communities values and the understands our unique needs. Our efforts rest solely on one goal: find a way to continue to provide quality life-saving care for the residents of San Benito County.
What will filing for Chapter 9 Financial Adjustment Mean for the Hospital and the Community.
Hear what people are saying about the importance of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
Take Action
The hospital that has been here for you for over a century now needs you. To help, sign up to our mailing list, send us a note of support, reach out to your elected officials.