Lifeline for the Ridge

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday (Oct. 12) approved a bill that would allow Adventist Health to operate a freestanding emergency department at the site of Feather River Hospital in Paradise.

Senate Bill 156, which was authored by Sen. Jim Nielsen (pictured), would permit emergency services at the site for up to six years provided certain requirements are met, including 24/7 service, appropriate nurse-to-patient staffing levels and compliance with emergency department regulations.

“The destruction experienced by this community is a unique situation that calls for a unique response,” Newsom wrote in a signing letter, adding that the bill also would provide time to evaluate the hospital’s long-term plans.

A spokeswoman for Adventist Health told the CN&R the organization is “thrilled” at the bill’s approval, adding that it is the “first step of many steps to follow.”