WILLOWS, Calif. —

Some rural hospitals in California have reached their financial breaking point, a situation that could leave the state with fewer health care providers and force patients in less populated areas to travel longer distances for care.

Glenn Medical Center on Monday announced it's closing its Emergency Department on Sept. 30, an update that comes weeks after the center said it would close its clinics and facility on Oct. 21.

The rural hospital located in Willows has been pushed to this point because it lost its "Critical Access Hospital" designation by the federal government, which means the loss of a key financial lifeline. The designation is given to providers that are at least 35 miles from the closest hospital. Glenn Medical Center is 32 miles from one in Colusa County

See Full Page