Long Beach Community Hospital Needs $1.7M More to Reopen

The coalition working to reopen Long Beach Community Medical Center needs to raise an additional $1.7 million before the facility can begin operating, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports. Coalition officials will meet this week to discuss the terms of a $10 million financing package from health care financing company DVI. With the $10 million deal, a $2 million loan from the city of Long Beach and nearly $5 million in donations, the coalition "appears close" to the $17 million required by the city to reopen the hospital. However, hospitals officials plan to spend $1 million on staff, repairs and utilities before the facility reopens, which could occur as early as May 1. Officials also hope to have $5 million in reserve when the hospital reopens. To reach that goal, officials said they need to raise an additional $1.7 million. Once reopened, the hospital will have a minimum of 10 to 20 beds for patients and will offer emergency and "other basic services." Betty Keller, chair of the hospital's board, said more services will be offered "if more money is raised" (Gewirtz, Long Beach Press-Telegram, 3/6).