BAKERSFIELD, CA - The county is still reeling from Tuesday's grim financial news from Kern Medical Center losing $3 million a month, and the hospital is again considering layoffs. But it brings up the question, do we need this county hospital?
The county studied eliminating KMC in a report in November. Its answer? We don't need a county hospital by law, but the county is obligated to take care of indigent or poor and uninsured people.
At the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, KMC officials told county officials the hospital is losing patients and as a result, revenue, up to $30 million this fiscal year. It's a rate county staff says is unsustainable.
"It's a needed entity that cannot exist in its current environment," said Russell Judd, CEO of Kern Medical Center Tuesday.
Which is why Tuesday Supervisor Mike Maggard asked this question.
"The county should evaluate whether or not we should have a hospital," said Supervisor Maggard.
County staff studied this in November, drafting this study. By law, the county needs to provide care to the uninsured and poor, but it doesn't need a county hospital to do so. In fact, only 11 of 58 California counties have a county hospital.
"The county is considering all of its options," said Chief County Administrative Officer John Nilon.
Nilon said the county could create a separate hospital authority to run KMC or contract out services to another hospital . So far, no Kern County hospital has volunteered to help.
"We're going to need them to come to the table to share some of the load and continue to benefit the community," said Nilon.
If the county loses KMC, it will lose more than a county hospital. It's the only Level 1 Trauma Center and the only teaching hospital in the county, not requirements but definitely a benefit according to county staff.
"Kern Medical Center plays a vital role saving thousands of lives every day," said Judd.
But, if KMC doesn't bandage its financial wounds soon, supervisors warn the whole county could bleed out.
"Are we only going to have county government operate a hospital?" said Supervisor Maggard.
All of these questions will be addressed at a special day-long meeting May 12th.
