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County plans to close two public pharmacies and shift specialty clinic services; residents and unions urge reconsideration
Summary
County Health Department announced plans to consolidate pharmacy operations (closing clinics in Santa María and Santa Bárbara and keeping Lompoc) and discontinue several specialty clinic sessions, affecting an estimated 792 patients; public commenters, unions and supervisors pressed for clearer transition guarantees.
The Santa Barbara County Health Department presented a required public hearing on June 16 about proposed changes to how the county delivers certain clinical and pharmacy services.
Doctora Mami told the Board the department plans to discontinue in‑clinic phlebotomy services in Santa María and Lompoc and to contract with external laboratories (Quest Diagnostic, Pacific Diagnostic) for blood draws and testing. The department also proposed consolidating pharmacy operations: closing the county pharmacies in Santa María and Santa Bárbara while maintaining pharmacy services through Lompoc and external partners (Walgreens, contracted providers) to preserve patient access and hours.
On specialty care, staff said four specialties in county clinics—nephrology, urology, neurology and gastroenterology—are slated for service reductions with referrals to community partners and coordinated transitions. Health staff said 792 patients receive services across those specialties and that approximately 81% of those patients have some form of coverage; the department said a transition team and 24‑hour hotline will help patients identify new providers and maintain prescriptions.
Several public speakers and union representatives told the board they oppose the pharmacy closures and specialty reductions. Leo de Casales (representing pharmacy/laboratory staff) said the changes will disrupt continuity of care, that pharmacy technicians are being laid off and that thousands of county residents rely on predictable local access to medication and specialist care. George Álvarez and Troy Walton described the local importance of the Santa María pharmacy for older residents and people with limited transportation.
Board members asked Health Department staff for specifics on patient notice, the delivery model for prescriptions (same‑day fills at chain pharmacies or clinic pickup) and assurances for uninsured residents. The department said patients have been notified by mail and that contractors will offer nearby pick‑up options and that case managers will prioritize patients with critical needs.
The Board voted to adopt the Health Department recommendations A–C, authorizing staff to proceed with the transitions and to report back with implementation details and documented patient outreach plans.
What residents should watch for: the Health Department committed to a transition hotline and case management for affected patients; residents who rely on county pharmacy or specialty clinic services should monitor county notices and may contact the 24‑hour number provided by staff for help arranging continuity of care.
