Laguna Beach Fights to Keep Local Emergency Room

City officials devise a work plan to preserve emergency services as Providence Mission Hospital faces seismic retrofitting challenges.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Following an update from Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach indicating significant changes may be in store for its operations, including the potential loss of the local emergency room, city officials are devising a work plan to keep emergency services in town. The hospital is facing a $300 million seismic retrofitting requirement by 2030, as well as an additional $50 million in infrastructure improvements, leading the hospital to consider operating differently and potentially eliminating its inpatient beds and emergency department.

Why it matters

The potential loss of the local emergency room has quickly caught the attention of residents, as the Providence Mission Hospital serves surrounding communities including Aliso Viejo, Dana Point and Laguna Niguel. City officials recognize the critical need for emergency services in the community and are determined to find a solution to preserve access to urgent and emergent care.

The details

Providence Mission Hospital CEO Seth Teigen told the City Council that the hospital's plan does not include running an acute care hospital, which would mean the loss of inpatient beds and the emergency department. Teigen explained that under California regulations, a standalone emergency department is not allowed, as it must be part of a full-service hospital. City Council members Alex Rounaghi and Bob Whalen are serving on an ad hoc committee to work with the hospital and explore options, including gathering data on emergency service calls and examining the city's land use and zoning powers.

  • On January 27, 2026, Providence Mission Hospital CEO Seth Teigen addressed the Laguna Beach City Council about the hospital's future plans.
  • By 2030, Providence Mission Hospital must complete a $300 million seismic retrofitting of the facility, as well as an additional $50 million in infrastructure improvements.

The players

Providence Mission Hospital

A hospital in Laguna Beach that is facing significant seismic retrofitting and infrastructure upgrade requirements, leading the hospital to consider operating differently and potentially eliminating its inpatient beds and emergency department.

Seth Teigen

The chief executive officer of Providence Mission Hospital, who addressed the Laguna Beach City Council about the hospital's future plans.

Alex Rounaghi

A Laguna Beach City Council member who is serving on an ad hoc committee to work with the hospital and explore options to preserve emergency services in the community.

Bob Whalen

A Laguna Beach City Council member who is serving on an ad hoc committee to work with the hospital and explore options to preserve emergency services in the community.

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What they’re saying

“That plan does not include running an acute care hospital. That plan is going to be doing healthcare in a very different way for Laguna Beach, and when we say acute care hospital, that includes our inpatient beds, and it also includes our emergency department. I think we recognize that is of greatest interest to this community is how they access urgent or emergent care.”

— Seth Teigen, Chief Executive Officer, Providence Mission Hospital (latimes.com)

“I think the goal of this effort is to articulate what is the city's position here, make it very clear to all the stakeholders — especially the hospital — about what our position is, and get the community engaged. ... I have to think there's a win-win solution for both the city and the hospital to ensure that we can have a workable emergency room in town.”

— Alex Rounaghi, Laguna Beach City Council Member (latimes.com)

What’s next

The Laguna Beach City Council's ad hoc committee will continue to work with Providence Mission Hospital to explore options and find a solution to preserve emergency services in the community.

The takeaway

The potential loss of the local emergency room in Laguna Beach has sparked a determined effort by city officials to work with the hospital and find a way to maintain critical emergency services for the community and surrounding areas. This case highlights the challenges facing aging healthcare infrastructure and the importance of proactive planning to ensure access to urgent and emergent care.