Riverside County to Stabilize Bankrupt Blythe Hospital, Keeping ER Open

Officials will guide 180-day stabilization period to ensure patient safety and continuity of emergency services.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Board of Directors for the financially troubled Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, California approved an agreement that authorizes a 'strike team' from the Riverside University Health System to help keep the emergency room and other departments open for the next 180 days. The county is providing the personnel and resources to stabilize hospital operations after the state canceled a critical funding source, putting the facility at risk of closure.

Why it matters

Without access to emergency care at Palo Verde Hospital, the nearly 20,000 residents in Blythe and surrounding areas would lose access to 'timely treatment for life-threatening conditions where minutes matter.' The closest hospital with an ER is over 70 miles away, making it critical for the county to step in and prevent the hospital from shutting down.

The details

Under the agreement, the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) will guide the 180-day stabilization period, with strike team members on-site to assess and manage current conditions, focusing on patient safety, staffing stability, and emergency department and clinic processes. The Palo Verde Healthcare District remains the licensed hospital operator, retaining all compliance responsibilities, while the county is granted temporary authority to make operational decisions for the ER, clinic, and supporting departments.

  • The agreement was approved by the Palo Verde Healthcare District board on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The 180-day stabilization period begins on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • On March 3, 2026, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors will review options for filling current PVHD board vacancies.

The players

Riverside University Health System

A public health care system that will provide the 'strike team' to guide the stabilization of Palo Verde Hospital during the 180-day period.

Palo Verde Healthcare District

The licensed operator of Palo Verde Hospital, which remains responsible for compliance with regulations and licensing requirements during the stabilization period.

V. Manuel Perez

A Riverside County District 4 Supervisor who stated that access to care in the region is essential and that the county is taking action to protect emergency services at the hospital.

Jennifer Cruikshank

The CEO of Riverside University Health System, who said the team is 'energized and ready to hit the ground running' to support the hospital's frontline staff and ensure residents have access to high-quality, stable care.

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What they’re saying

“This has always been about the people of Blythe. Access to care in this region is essential, which is why my colleagues on the Board and I voted to support this hospital. We brought leaders together because the community deserves stability and action. This agreement allows us to protect emergency services while we study the best path forward for the hospital and the families who depend on it.”

— V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County District 4 Supervisor (heysocal.com)

“Our team is energized and ready to hit the ground running. We aren't just here to manage a transition; we are here to support the incredible frontline staff and ensure that every resident has access to the high-quality, stable care they deserve. We are diving in on day one with a clear focus on operational excellence and transparency.”

— Jennifer Cruikshank, CEO, Riverside University Health System (heysocal.com)

What’s next

On March 3, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a review of options for filling current Palo Verde Healthcare District Board vacancies.

The takeaway

This agreement highlights the critical role that county governments can play in stepping in to stabilize and protect essential healthcare services, especially in underserved communities, when private hospitals face financial challenges that threaten to leave residents without access to emergency and other vital medical care.