1,100 New Signatures in Two weeks While a Micro Hospital Is Studied
Thanks to coverage from ABC7 News, The Orange County Register and KFI AM 640 radio, our petition's now at 7,568--1,100 more than it was just two weeks ago! The boost came after news that the owners agreed to study a micro hospital while co-sponsoring legislation for a standalone hospital solution in Sacramento. While an improvement, it leaves many wondering why an urgent care was proposed in the first place: 17,275 people visited the Emergency Room last year--roughly 47 patients every day. 16% were not discharged after treatment--that's thousands of patients that got lifesaving care in Laguna Beach.
This facility also accepts patients from other hospitals. Would a micro hospital be able to provide such support? And shouldn't Coastal Communities be planning for a future that includes more residents in South Orange County along with more beach visits? Where is the County in this? And the State?
The next Hospital Task Force meeting is expected the last Thursday of the month in downtown Laguna Beach. We'll post the details when we get them. In the meantime, please help us get to our next milestone of 8,000. And many thanks to all of the news organizations that included the petition in their coverage to keep this hospital open!