Palo Verde Healthcare District asks Riverside County to help fill two vacancies on board

BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ) - The Palo Verde Healthcare District has asked Riverside County to help complete the appointment process to fill two vacancies on the board of directors.

Two board members recently resigned, Rosie Rowell and Dr. David Brooks. Board president Carmela Garnica said one of the vacancies has exceeded the 60-day threshold to replace them.

According to a letter to County Supervisor Manuel Perez from Garnica dated Feb. 3, the board attempted to fill the vacancies during a special meeting on Wednesday, but it "does not expect to have sufficient attendance to take formal action." The meeting has been cancelled.

Garnica wrote, "While we understand the County's appointment process may take additional time, this approach offers the most practical and reliable path forward under the current constraints."

Last week, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a $1 million loan and hands-on assistance to keep the doors open to the emergency room at the bankrupt Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe.

The Blythe City Council approved a $330,000 bridge loan last month as well, but officials said that would only have kept the emergency room's doors open until the end of the month.

Without the hospital, the nearest option for emergency health care would be more than 70 miles away.

At the end of September, the Palo Verde Healthcare District Board of Directors voted to seek federal Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection while efforts were made to stanch ongoing financial losses.

Administrators noted the hospital had been struggling to remain afloat since the start of the current decade, with revenue streams withering while patient loads remained unchanged.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.