Update on Alta Bates Closure
Update on Alta Bates Closure
In 2016, Sutter Health announced that it was closing the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center — a decision that raised alarm bells among Alameda and Contra Costa county residents.
As Berkeley's only full-service hospital, the medical center is a popular choice for patients in neighboring counties. According to a report from Berkeley Mayor Arreguín and Councilmember Sophie Hahn, Alta Bates' service area includes over 800,000 residents — over 44% are people of color, and 36% living below 200% of the federal poverty line.
According to the report, the emergency department at Alta Bates began experiencing an uptick in West Contra Costa patients needing emergency care after the closure of Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in San Pablo. By 2017, the department was serving 6,000 visits over the capacity recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians. In addition, the center also offers critical resources for vulnerable populations in Contra Costa — birthing and obstetrics, senior medical care, and services for uninsured and unhoused patients.
Without an alternative solution, the Alta Bates closure will force Contra Costa patients to rely on hospitals and medical centers with less capacity and further away. These include Kaiser-Richmond, the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, and John Muir Hospital.
To stay updated on the most recent developments on Alta Bates, the City of Richmond has issued an agenda report. Click here to view.
