(Courtesy of the Ventura County Health Care Agency)

As the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) approaches the August 18, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, HCA is finalizing its strategic review of continued health care service options for the Santa Clara River Valley (SCRV) and Santa Paula Hospital (SPH). With state-mandated 2030 seismic deadlines approaching, this work provides a timely opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery to be more sustainable, accessible, and responsive to residents.

HCA has engaged the consulting firm Health Management Associates (HMA) to support the health care planning for SCRV.  HMA is a national independent research and consulting firm that focuses on publicly-financed health care.

To ensure broad community awareness and engagement, the County will host an informational community meeting on August 3, 2026, at Fillmore City Hall. Additionally, in compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 1442.5, formal public hearing notices outlining proposed healthcare service options will be posted at all County health care facilities beginning August 3, 2026, ahead of the August 18 Board of Supervisors public hearing.

This upcoming forum will create an opportunity for community members to hear directly from HMA about future possibilities before they are presented to the Board of Supervisors, and to share perspectives on key local concerns such as:

  • Emergency care access 
  • Traffic and transportation considerations
  • Chronic disease management and ongoing care needs
  • Additional issues that matter most to residents and families

This is a single, comprehensive, valley-wide regional forum designed to strengthen dialogue and inform the path forward.

Community Forum Details

Residents are invited to attend:
Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
In Person: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Virtual: Watch the live broadcast online via Zoom. Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android (details below)

HCA’s consulting partners, HMA conducted a review of healthcare utilization and healthcare needs.  Additionally, Ventura County Public Health has completed a deep-dive Community Health Needs Assessment for the valley, and a Health Disparity Report. The findings highlight that the SCRV population of approximately 55,000 residents depends on healthcare services that are affordable and culturally responsive.

HMA will present future health care service possibilities. The re-envisioning of healthcare services is informed by the comprehensive needs assessment and the resulting creation of a new care delivery model, with consideration of the overall financial condition of the County’s health care system. No final decisions have been made—these models remain pre-decisional and will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the regular County of Ventura, Board of Supervisors meeting.

To learn more about Santa Paula Hospital updates, the ongoing planning process, and details about this and other upcoming community forums (use the planned meetings tab) visit:
https://hca.venturacounty.gov/hospitals/santa-paula-hospital-updates/

Community members are encouraged to attend and share input during the forum. This will be an in person and livestreamed event to provide access and will include live Spanish and Mixteco language interpretation.

Watch the live broadcast online via Zoom in English/Spanish from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88041292350?pwd=vwNLaikTP4mLlJMumj1cnkrhfn76HA.1
Passcode: 431815
Phone one-tap: +16694449171,,88041292350#,,,,*431815# US; +16699006833,,88041292350#,,,,*431815# US (San Jose)

Questions may be submitted in advance by using the Submit Your Questions tab on the https://hca.venturacounty.gov/hospitals/santa-paula-hospital-updates/.