CHW Makes $5 Million Available to Community Health Clinics

Not-for-profit hospital system steps up to again help keep community clinics open to all in need

San Francisco, CA - February 26, 2009 - Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) announced today that it has made a second investment of $5 million in loans available to California's community health clinics to draw upon in the wake of the state's decision to defer March 2009 Medi-Cal payments to April of 2009. CHW made an initial $5 million in loans available to community clinics in June 2008.

CHW is once again working with the California Primary Care Association and NCB Capital Impact to establish an even larger pool of funds to provide short-term loans to bridge the gap until payments from the state recommence. With 34 hospitals across California CHW is the state's largest private Medi-Cal provider.

"Community clinics are vital to millions of Californians," said Lloyd H. Dean, CHW's President/CEO. "These funds are helping to keep clinic doors open to our most vulnerable residents."

Community health clinics are an important part of California's health care infrastructure, providing quality primary and urgent care services to patients who might otherwise access care through their local emergency rooms.

"This is the right thing to do," said Bernita McTernan, Senior Vice President of Mission Integration for CHW. "It is best for patients to continue to receive care from their own trusted health care providers who are familiar with their medical histories."

CHW has a legacy of investing in communities to improve the quality of life for residents who need it most. CHW has invested more than $83 million in nonprofit community organizations since 1992. As a nonprofit, mission-based organization, CHW has provided $967 million in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed patient care to the communities we serve, including low-interest loans and grants, in 2008 alone.

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