Skip to Content

Monterey County hospitals release Healthcare for All statements

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) -- The Monterey County Health Department, along with local health services, reassured their commitment to providing healthcare to all in Monterey County, regardless of immigration status.

Natividad Medical Center released a joint statement with the Health Department to announce their reassurance amid privacy

“We are committed to providing equitable, compassionate, quality care to all individuals regardless of immigration status. Private medical is protected. Patient privacy and trust are central to the care we provide and we take all necessary steps to safeguard that trust,” Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris said.

Natividad is also distributing red cards to hospitals and community partners that describe constitutional rights for those undocumented.

Another joint statement was made with the CEOs of Montage Health, Salinas Valley Health, and Mee Memorial Healthcare Systems to reassure their patients they can continue to receive care.

"We recognize that fears surrounding immigration enforcement may discourage individuals from seeking medical care. Let us be clear: your health, safety, and access to care are our priorities. We strictly adhere to California and federal privacy laws, which prohibit the disclosure of patient information without a legal mandate," the statement said.

Article Topic Follows: Top Stories
healthcare
healthcare for all
immigration
Mee Meorial Healthcare Systems
montage health
monterey county
natividad medical center
Salinas Valley Health

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content