WATSONVILLE, CA, Oct. 15, 2026 — The Pajaro Valley Health Care District will host a community town hall about possible service reductions under consideration for Watsonville Community Hospital. The forum, which is open to the public, will be Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Civic Plaza in Watsonville. Translation services will be available.
The hospital faces a serious financial gap. The hospital is running with approximately eight days of cash on hand and efficiency alone will not significantly change the financial outlook for the hospital. Growth initiatives and partnership are being actively pursued, but the results of those efforts will not benefit the hospital for months to come.
Without action, the hospital could close within 6 to 12 months. At the town hall, hospital leaders will explain the factors driving the decision and why it is urgent. Following a short presentation, attendees will have the opportunity for small group discussion and feedback with a focus on how to support the community through this change while working together to keep the hospital open and preserve access to care.
“We have to live within our means to keep our doors open,” Interim CEO Tim Moran said. “We want the community to hear directly from us about the challenges we face and what we propose to do about them. We also want to hear from you about what matters most.”
Hospital leaders say one-time funding and loans cannot close the gap, and that lasting change is needed to cover the cost of care. For four years, the hospital has worked with partners and the State to secure a long-term solution, but those efforts have not produced a commitment to structural change. The hospital remains open to exploring partnerships and welcomes conversations with any potential partner who can present a sustainable solution to address its financial challenges and preserve access to local healthcare, but it cannot risk losing the whole hospital while it waits. Looming state and federal policy changes are expected to reduce the hospital’s revenue further.
The town hall is part of a broader effort to engage hospital staff, Pajaro Valley residents and community partners. Hospital leaders want to hear questions and feedback on how changes should be carried out, as well as how to instill confidence in the hospital as a long-term resource for the Pajaro Valley.
“We are here to care for you,” Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board Chair Tony Nuñez said. “When you choose to use your local hospital, you help sustain essential healthcare services and protect access to care for our entire community.”
About the Pajaro Valley Health Care District The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is a public healthcare district formed to ensure continued access to high-quality, equitable healthcare for the Pajaro Valley community. Established in 2022 to help preserve and strengthen local hospital services, the District oversees Watsonville Community Hospital and is governed by a publicly elected five-member board committed to supporting sustainable operations, expanding access to care, and improving community health outcomes. For more information, visit pvhcd.org.
About Watsonville Community Hospital Watsonville Community Hospital is a public, non-profit community healthcare provider; a 106-bed acute care facility serving Watsonville and the surrounding culturally diverse tri-county area along California’s Central Coast. The hospital offers a wide range of quality medical and surgical services including cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, emergency services, maternity services, orthopedics, pediatrics, rehabilitation services, robotic surgery, urology, vascular surgery, women’s health services, and wound care. With 650 employees and more than 300 physicians, the hospital strives to exceed patient expectations, deliver the highest quality care, and be a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the community we call home.