Madera County

State money has been set aside to help the bankrupt Madera Community Hospital reopen – nearly a year after it shut its doors.

Madera County Supervisors are agreeing to fund $500,000 in hospital operating costs for 30 days, but only if a new partner’s letter of intent is in place.

Cal Fire is getting into the artificial intelligence game.

The hospital says a reopening plan is needed to apply for the funding and a $250,000 cost to produce the plan is holding back those efforts.

The “Distressed Hospital Loan Program” would make $150 million in state funds available to help struggling hospitals.

Hospitals aren’t the only places in need of more nursing staff. The Madera County Jail is seeing an increased need too.

More than two months after shutting down all services and clinics, Madera Community Hospital officially filed for Chapter. 11 bankruptcy.

A consulting group was offered up to create a reopening plan for Madera Community Hospital. But KVPR’s Soreath Hok reports the Madera County Board of Supervisors turned down the idea.

The closure of Madera Community Hospital left thousands of people without access to regular checkups, emergency services and specialized care.

Two months after closing, Madera Community Hospital sits empty and closed with millions in equipment. Behind closed doors, a push to reopen is running out of time.