City Sponsors State Legislation in an Effort to Keep Community Hospital Open

Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) introduced AB 2591 in an effort to keep Long Beach Community Hospital open. Sponsored by the City of Long Beach, this bill seeks an extension for seismic compliance at the hospital.  

“The city is committed to Community Hospital,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We thank Assemblymember O’Donnell for authoring legislation to provide our community with more time to identify a viable solution that will allow us to keep the only co-located acute and psychiatric care facility in Long Beach open, while also meeting state seismic requirements for hospitals.”

Long Beach Memorial, MemorialCare announced at the end of 2017 the intention to cease medical services at Community Hospital by June 30, 2019. There is an active earthquake fault line beneath part of the hospital, and the facility must be upgraded to meet seismic-safety requirements by 2020.

“Community Hospital is an important asset to the eastside of the City,” said Councilmember Daryl Supernaw. “Our constituents have spoken loud and clear – We need to explore every opportunity to keep this hospital open.”

The bill now awaits referral to its first policy committee.