PRESS RELEASE

The City of Long Beach today signed a long-term lease and operating agreement between the City of Long Beach and the Molina, Wu, Network, LLC (MWN) healthcare group that paves the way for the reopening of Community Hospital Long Beach (Community Hospital). MWN is a partnership between Pacific 6 Enterprises, AHMC Healthcare, Inc. and Network Medical Management.

“We made reopening Community Hospital a top priority and are committed to an accessible and safe emergency room for all residents of Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Signing the long-term agreement brings us one step closer to outstanding medical care and health services citywide.”

On Oct. 15, 2019, the City Council approved the long-term agreement with the MWN healthcare group. Under terms of the agreement, the City of Long Beach will lease the property to MWN for 45 years with the option of two 10-year extensions. MWN will assume the costs needed to seismically retrofit, reopen and operate the acute care hospital and the City will reimburse up to 50% of the seismic work costs in annual payments over a 15-year period, committing up to a total of $25 million.

“Reopening this hospital raises the quality of life for everyone,” said Councilman Daryl Supernaw. “Community Hospital helps us address many different citywide public health and safety challenges.”

In addition to reopening the publicly accessible emergency department that once received 27,000 visits per year, the agreement helps the City to address challenges associated with public safety and people experiencing homelessness. Per the agreement, MWN will make a good faith effort to provide sobering center beds, medical detox beds, recuperative care and psychiatric beds to address community needs identified in the City’s Everyone Home task force report, subject to appropriate licensure and regulatory approvals. 

“MWN is grateful for the support of our partners at the City of Long Beach as we navigate this complex regulatory process to acquire the hospital’s state license,” said John C. Molina of MWN. “We’re optimistic in our pursuit and look forward to our continued work in the new year.”

MWN is now in position to work directly with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for state approvals that will be needed to reopen the hospital. On Dec. 4, MWN announced the completion of the state’s medical laboratory department inspection and the submission of the pharmacy department license application. Once department licenses are approved, MWN announced, it will begin limited hiring of medical staff to prepare for the final inspection by CDPH, which MWN anticipate will occur in early 2020. An announcement regarding the opening of the hospital will come thereafter. MWN already has hired managers for the lab and pharmacy and begun procurement of hospital laboratory equipment.

Concurrently, the City and MWN continue working with the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) on a plan for seismic compliance required by the State.

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

About Pacific6 Enterprises

Pacific6 is a Long Beach-based partnership committed to identifying and investing in inspiring and important ventures, both for-profit and non-profit, that offer unique potential to positively impact the people and communities in which they are located – either economically, socially, or both. Pacific6 looks across a broad spectrum of business opportunities to determine the best fit for our mission and motivation – utilizing the best ideas, resources, people, and practices to create the right environment for sustained success in our community.

Current local projects include the complete renovation of two historic landmarks in Long Beach –  the Breakers Hotel, and Ocean Center Building – as well as the acquisition and expansion of the Long Beach Post media company. For more information about Pacific6 Enterprises visit: www.pacificsix.com.

About AHMC Healthcare, Inc.

Serving the Greater Los Angeles Metro Area, the AHMC Healthcare Inc. (AHMC) affiliated hospitals provide comprehensive health services rooted in a commitment to care, clinical excellence, quality and to community. AHMC currently operates the following facilities: Anaheim Regional Medical Center, Garfield Medical Center, Greater El Monte Community Hospital, Monterey Park Hospital, San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, and Whittier Hospital Medical Center.  For more information about AHMC Healthcare, Inc. visit: www.ahmchealth.com.

About Network Medical Management

Network Medical Management (NMM) is a Management Services Organization (MSO) comprised of healthcare professionals and more than 300 employee associates serving the rapid growth of its IPAs and Medical Groups. NMM provides comprehensive administrative support to Independent Physicians Associations (IPAs) and medical groups, pursuing both quality patient-care and profitability.

In 1994, a team of physicians formally established Network Medical Management (NMM). Since then, NMM has helped numerous IPAs and medical groups achieve their financial goals and organizational success. Network Medical Management has now expanded its services to 10 counties in California providing management to over 650,000 members.

As health care industry continues to evolve, NMM remains at the forefront, anticipating changes and their impacts to the clients. NMM believes in a solid infrastructure and technology, which ensure the delivery of an integrated health care system with the highest efficiency and accuracy. For more information about NMM visit: http://www.nmm.cc

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