Sebastopol, Calif.-based Sonoma West Medical Center is facing a financial crisis due to its high debt payments. Hospital officials were deliberating whether to shut down the hospital, but they have now decided to launch an aggressive fundraising campaign aimed at reducing the facility's debt load, according to The Press Democrat.
Barbara Vogelsang, MSN, RN, Sonoma West Medical Center chief nursing officer and COO, told The Press Democrat the hospital plans to raise funds through events, including a possible golf tournament, and through personal donations.
The hospital's financial troubles stem from debt payments, which totaled $632,000 in May. The debt payments are expected to drop to $250,000 in June and July before doubling this fall.
In addition to the debt payments, the hospital is facing a lawsuit filed by Anthem and its affiliates in nine states. The insurer alleges the hospital was involved in a toxicology lab testing scheme.
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