QUINCY, California (STPNS) --     Will Indian Valley Health Care District partner with Plumas District Hospital, or will the hospital shut down?

    Directors of the Indian Valley district will meet Thursday, Nov. 16, to decide its fate. If they choose to suspend the hospital license, long-term residents would have to be transferred, and X-ray services would probably no longer be available.

    A blood-draw station may be set up, according to administrator Susan Neer, and the clinic would remain open.



    Financial problems are still critical at Indian Valley Hospital, with cutbacks and layoffs to stem the flow.

    Director Bill Gimple reported Monday, Nov. 6, that September was about a break-even month with a net income of $2,000.

    "While that may sound good," he said, "we still have a critical cash flow problem."

    Besides the problem of getting reimbursed by MediCal, he cited poor utilization by the community as a key factor in the financial problems.

    Neer reported that she struggles to fill the nursing shifts.

    It has all worked out, she said, due to the loyal and dedicated staff members who work so hard.

    Cutbacks include the X-ray department, which is in operation only three days per week now.

    The lab is still open as usual, although two full-time employees will be working part time there instead.

    On a positive note, it was reported that one of the physicians, Mark Lorenzato, is becoming popular with patients and will add a day to his workweek in Greenville to accommodate them.

    There was also a closed session to allow directors to talk about pending litigation regarding the geothermal discharge and about trade secrets, which included affiliation with Plumas District Hospital.

    No actions were taken, according to Gimple, who was acting chairman of the meeting.

    Barring special meetings, directors of the Indian Valley Health Care District meet the first Monday of each month at 5 p.m., usually in the Greenville Town Hall.

    To verify meeting location, or for more information, those interested may call the hospital at 284-7191.