In a decisive move to stave off the impending closure of Catalina Island’s only hospital, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has secured a $3 million allocation from Measure B funds. The emergency funding, announced this week by county officials, is expected to stabilize Catalina Island Health’s operations through the summer and prevent what could have been a catastrophic disruption in medical services for both residents and the island’s annual influx of tourists.
The facility, which provides critical emergency, long-term, primary, mental health, and pharmacy care, serves over 4,000 full-time islanders and more than one million visitors each year. Its potential closure this July, due to mounting financial strain, had alarmed local leaders and health officials alike. “It would not only be disastrous to the health and well-being of Avalon residents and visitors, but it would also have a dangerous ripple effect across our county’s emergency medical response system,” said Supervisor Hahn in a statement.
Backing Hahn’s motion, LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone emphasized the practical and financial urgency of the intervention. Without a functioning hospital, the cost of medical airlifts—currently averaging around 50 annually—would likely skyrocket, further burdening the county and endangering patients requiring immediate care.
Catalina Island Health CEO Jason Paret expressed deep gratitude for the county’s swift action. “This funding will allow us to continue to protect lives with 24/7 emergency care, ensure health equity for our underserved community, and avoid a potential healthcare crisis for LA County,” he said.
Beyond the financial rescue, the LA County Board of Supervisors’ unanimous vote (with Supervisor Holly Mitchell absent) also directed the Department of Health Services to conduct a 90-day evaluation of the hospital’s emergency operations. The goal is to chart a viable long-term path forward for Catalina Island’s only health care facility.
