Willows council approves letter urging reversal of Glenn Medical Center's lost critical-access status

WILLOWS, Calif., May 19 — The Willows City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve a letter supporting Glenn Medical Center's formal appeal after the hospital was notified in April that it may lose its Critical Access Hospital designation.

The move, made during a special council meeting, directs the mayor to sign a letter of community support and authorizes the city to provide additional assistance the hospital requests. Council member Busby moved the measure and Mayor Hudson seconded; the motion passed unanimously among the four members present.

The loss of critical-access status would affect how Glenn Medical Center is reimbursed and could lead to the closure of its emergency department, hospital officials and first-responders told the council. Lauren Still, administrator of Glenn Medical Center, told the council that the hospital received a federal notice in April that the designation would be removed and that the change "would have a tremendous impact on the hospital, including losing emergency services." She said the hospital had filed an appeal and was…