Guangzhou are reporters with Fresno land. They did a deep dive to figure out how this happened and they join me now. Omar, a lot of people were caught off guard by Madera Community Hospital closing because they thought it was going to be acquired by a larger company named trinity health. Can you tell us what happened

Guangzhou are reporters with Fresno land. They did a deep dive to figure out how this happened and they join me now. Omar, a lot of people were caught off guard by Madera Community Hospital closing because they thought it was going to be acquired by a larger company named trinity health. Can you tell us what happened

as is required by law? Attorney General rob Bonta had to assess the merger deal

as is required by law? Attorney General rob Bonta had to assess the merger deal

um with trendy health and Madera Community Hospital and he issued specific conditions that his office says would have kept health care affordable for Maderas residents. And shortly after his office issued those conditions, trinity health backed out of the deal,

um with trendy health and Madera Community Hospital and he issued specific conditions that his office says would have kept health care affordable for Maderas residents. And shortly after his office issued those conditions, trinity health backed out of the deal,

the Madera community Hospital announced that it would soon file for bankruptcy

the Madera community Hospital announced that it would soon file for bankruptcy

And, and and that leaves more than 150,000 people in Madera County without a local hospital.

And, and and that leaves more than 150,000 people in Madera County without a local hospital.

And one of the doctors you spoke to said it pretty plainly patients are going to die. What are people who need medical care doing now

And one of the doctors you spoke to said it pretty plainly patients are going to die. What are people who need medical care doing now

without those clinics and without the hospital, you really have important integral health care access just missing in the community and and right now if a mandarin whose he's, you know, close to southern Madera County are at least a half an hour drive away from the closest hospital which is um, Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, A lot of mandarins may not be able to make that trip. They may not own a car or a vehicle, they may not have a friend who can drive them.

without those clinics and without the hospital, you really have important integral health care access just missing in the community and and right now if a mandarin whose he's, you know, close to southern Madera County are at least a half an hour drive away from the closest hospital which is um, Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, A lot of mandarins may not be able to make that trip. They may not own a car or a vehicle, they may not have a friend who can drive them.

You know that's that's a huge impact because the closure of the Madera Community Hospital has now pushed its emergency patient volume to three hospitals in Fresno County. And when I checked in with the county last week, they said that as of January nine all hospitals in Fresno County where at 100% capacity and in one hospital was at 118% capacity.

You know that's that's a huge impact because the closure of the Madera Community Hospital has now pushed its emergency patient volume to three hospitals in Fresno County. And when I checked in with the county last week, they said that as of January nine all hospitals in Fresno County where at 100% capacity and in one hospital was at 118% capacity.

What about those employed by the hospital? Of course you know there are the doctors and the nursing staff but I'm thinking of you know the housekeepers, Janitors being from that area myself, I know there aren't a ton of opportunities for work. How are they dealing with this? There was a woman who is now 66 years old who has been with the hospital for more than 30 years and

What about those employed by the hospital? Of course you know there are the doctors and the nursing staff but I'm thinking of you know the housekeepers, Janitors being from that area myself, I know there aren't a ton of opportunities for work. How are they dealing with this? There was a woman who is now 66 years old who has been with the hospital for more than 30 years and

yes, she could possibly if she wants find a job in Fresno but driving is an issue for her and also she doesn't have skills that are easily transferable and there are people who are kitchen helpers who served food to patients who did menial work through at the hospital that are now without jobs.

yes, she could possibly if she wants find a job in Fresno but driving is an issue for her and also she doesn't have skills that are easily transferable and there are people who are kitchen helpers who served food to patients who did menial work through at the hospital that are now without jobs.

So it is a big loss job wise for many people in the Madeira area

So it is a big loss job wise for many people in the Madeira area

and we know this isn't a unique situation. I know Korea Medical Center in Tillery was facing similar financial issues earlier last year. What does this say about the financial structure of medical facilities that might need to change?

and we know this isn't a unique situation. I know Korea Medical Center in Tillery was facing similar financial issues earlier last year. What does this say about the financial structure of medical facilities that might need to change?

I I think that ultimately leaders and I'm talking about statewide or Countywide or even nationwide need to look at several issues, including the way the rural hospitals or the smaller hospitals are compensated by medical insurance groups, particularly the government sponsored medical insurance groups like Medical or Medicaid.

I I think that ultimately leaders and I'm talking about statewide or Countywide or even nationwide need to look at several issues, including the way the rural hospitals or the smaller hospitals are compensated by medical insurance groups, particularly the government sponsored medical insurance groups like Medical or Medicaid.

I see. And finally, is there anything going on in the county or in surrounding areas to support these patients who relied on this hospital for so long? There are plans, nothing has materialized so far. Thank you both so much for joining me.

I see. And finally, is there anything going on in the county or in surrounding areas to support these patients who relied on this hospital for so long? There are plans, nothing has materialized so far. Thank you both so much for joining me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. That was Reporter Omar Rashad and Demna with Fresno land.

Thank you. That was Reporter Omar Rashad and Demna with Fresno land.