Potential new owners urged to keep Daughters of Charity hospitals open 10 years

A consultant says the state of California should condition the sale of six nonprofit Catholic hospitals on a commitment to keep the facilities open for 10 years.

Prime Healthcare Services Inc. has pledged to keep the financially struggling Daughter of Charity Heath Systems hospitals open at least five years and maintain existing services.

Prime Healthcare runs Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy and De Paul Urgent Care Center in Morgan Hill.

The San Jose Mercury News reports Thursday that the consultant says Ontario-based Prime Healthcare would also need to continue participating in the Medi-Cal managed care and Medicare programs for at least 10 years, among other conditions The 150-year-old Daughters of Charity group is known for serving the poor.

A review of the proposed sale is being conducted by the Attorney General. At the end of the month, the Attorney General will be releasing reports for each facility.

Once the reports are released, the Attorney General will be hosting public meetings to provide members of the public with the opportunity to provide input on how the sale would impact their community.

The public meeting regarding Saint Louise Regional Hospital will take place:

Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Gilroy City Hall, Council Chambers

7351 Rosanna St., Gilroy, CA 95020