Board approves cuts to specialty clinics and two public pharmacies, prompting concern from patients and unions

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on June 16 unanimously approved County Health Department recommendations to discontinue several specialty services and to close two county‑run public pharmacies, part of a package officials said is needed to balance a structurally deficit‑ridden budget.

Director (Dr.) Hamami told the Board the proposals are a response to long‑term budget pressures and changes in federal and state funding. County Health is proposing to discontinue in‑house phlebotomy at the Lompoc and Santa Maria health centers and to contract blood draws to private labs (Quest Diagnostics and Pacific Diagnostic Laboratories) that the county says will operate “at no extra cost” for patients and offer expanded hours. The county also plans to close the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria health center pharmacies and consolidate dispensing at the Lompoc health center and a set of contracted community pharmacies (Walgreens locations), which officials said will keep discount pricing and extend evening and weekend pickup options.

The department said primary care, sliding fee discounts and financial assistance programs will remain unchanged. County staff told the Board about a clinical transition team coordinating referrals, medical record transfers and appointment scheduling, and announced a 24‑hour information hotline for patients at (805) 681‑5100.

Union and community commenters urged delay. Leo Degasauz, speaking for SEIU members who staff county pharmacies, labs and specialty clinics, said the proposals would disrupt care for “thousands” of residents and warned layoffs of pharmacy technicians would create gaps in safe medication handling and local access. The county’s budget documents and presenters identified roughly 792 patients who receive some combination of the four specialty services slated for discontinuation; the Health Department said 81 percent of those patients have some form of health coverage.

Other public speakers, including patients and advocacy groups, described the pharmacies as critical lifelines for seniors, low‑income residents and people with chronic conditions and urged the Board to ensure referral specialists actually accept Medi‑Cal and uninsured patients before closures go into effect.

Supervisor questions focused on operational details: how prescriptions will be routed under the new model, delivery options for uninsured patients enrolled in the county’s patient assistance program, signage and mailed notices to patients, and how affected employees are being supported. Hamami said the county has mailed letters, posted signs and expects contracted pharmacies to provide the same discount pricing through existing contracts; uninsured, self‑pay patients will continue to receive medications through Lompoc pharmacy and delivery to clinics.

After discussion the Board took a motion to approve the recommended actions A–C related to the Billingsen Act hearing. Chair Terrence Nelson announced the motion passed unanimously (5–0). The Board instructed staff to continue active case management for affected patients and to return with any follow‑up details needed for implementation.

What happens next: the closures and transition steps are tied to the county’s adopted budget and implementation plans; the Department said it will closely monitor transitions and maintain primary care access at all county clinics.