"Southern Inyo Healthcare District, a 37-bed hospital in Lone Pine, had eight days of cash on hand as of Sept.12, chief executive Dr. Kevin Flanigan told CalMatters. Local officials have sent a letter asking Gov. Gavin Newsom for an emergency $3 million to stabilize its finances through the end of the year, but absent state intervention the hospital may have to severely cut services and staff - or close altogether."
"Located in Lone Pine, a town at the base of Mt. Whitney with just 1,300 residents, Southern Inyo Healthcare District is the only hospital within a nearly 60-mile radius. It's the closest stop for injured hikers and dehydrated tourists visiting Whitney or nearby Death Valley, which regularly receives more than 1 million visitors per year. Without it there would be a 136-mile stretch between the next closest hospitals in the eastern Sierra Nevada."
Southern Inyo Healthcare District, a 37-bed hospital in Lone Pine, had eight days of cash on hand as of Sept.12. Local officials requested an emergency $3 million from the state to stabilize finances through year-end. Hospitals with fewer than 80 days of cash on hand are considered highly vulnerable, while the average hospital holds more than 200 days. Southern Inyo is the only hospital within a nearly 60-mile radius, serving hikers and tourists to Mt. Whitney and Death Valley. A closure would create a 136-mile gap to the next hospitals. Rural hospitals face rising labor and supply costs and projected Medicaid revenue cuts.
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