About Central Valley
Hospital Council’s Central Valley presence includes:
- The Kern / Eastern Sierra Section, comprised of 14 hospitals that represent over 1,600 licensed beds in Inyo, Kern and Mono Counties.
- The Fresno / Madera Section, comprised of 12 hospitals that represent over 2,200 licensed beds in Fresno and Madera Counties.
- The Central Coast Section, comprised of four hospitals that represent approximately 451 licensed beds, in San Luis Obispo County.
- The Tulare / Kings Section, comprised of four hospitals that represent over 800 licensed beds in Tulare and Kings counties.
2025 Community Health Needs Assessment
Section Updates for March 25, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: Members representing eight hospitals gathered to discuss coordinated community benefit giving across hospitals, with this session featuring guidance from the Central Valley Community Foundation’s chief impact officer. The group is exploring ways for all hospitals to participate in a single collective impact plan, rather than hospitals acting individually. Future meetings will focus on the...
Section Updates for March 11, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: Hospital Council participated in the second Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group meeting. Over the coming months, the group will explore a framework for the program that improves Medi-Cal members’ experience and reduces inequities, strengthens provider participation and capacity, simplifies administration, and creates clear accountability and alignment across participating entities.
Section Updates for February 25, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: Last week, Hospital Council hosted a Kern Behavioral Health Workgroup Meeting, where the county health department provided an update on Senate Bill 43 implementation. To date, the county has noted no significant impacts on service delivery as only a few patients have had clear co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses. The group...
Section Updates for February 11, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) held a hospital roundtable on Jan. 30, during which he asked hospitals for their insights on state health care models that are working outside of California. He also asked hospitals to provide him with a list of the regulatory requirements that they would most like to see changed to bring relief. Hospital Council...
Section Updates for January 28, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: The Central Valley Health Care Landscape Analysis will be released on Feb. 25. The report, which focuses on the area’s health care outcomes, patient needs, and hospital capacity, will help local policymakers better understand the health care needs of those who live and work in the Central Valley.
Section Updates for January 14, 2026
CENTRAL VALLEY: Hospital Council gathered members across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties to discuss the future of community health needs assessments. Historically, Hospital Council has coordinated joint studies between hospital members and public health. However, given each hospital’s unique reporting needs and requirements, in the future, Hospital Council may simply coordinate primary data collection (focus groups and community surveys). Members...
Section Updates for December 24, 2025
In this edition, we’re reflecting on key successes for 2025. Below are memorable achievements from each section. CENTRAL VALLEY: In 2025, Hospital Council partnered with the Central Valley Community Foundation, more than 30 business and community leaders, seven counties, more than 40 hospitals, and the University of California to conduct the Central Valley Health Care Landscape Analysis. This project demonstrates...
Section Updates for December 10, 2025
CENTRAL VALLEY: Hospital Council convened hospitals to discuss community benefit programs. At the meeting, hospitals discussed collaborating to address food insecurity in the region, to streamline the requests hospitals receive and provide even greater funding to community organizations. Next year, Hospital Council will facilitate the creation of an investment plan for this group, which will continue...
Section Updates for November 26, 2025
CENTRAL VALLEY: Hospital Council continues to work with the Central Valley Community Foundation and local leaders on the Central Valley Health Care Landscape Analysis, which will be released in early 2026. Early report findings indicate that — despite major coverage gains — the Central Valley’s health care infrastructure is stretched thin, with severe workforce shortages and mounting financial...
Section Updates for November 12, 2025
CENTRAL VALLEY: Hospital Council will be participating in a group convened by the Central California Public Health Consortium, which is seeking to estimate the losses facing the region under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Simultaneously, Fresno Public Health is developing estimates around Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) funding that will be lost under the bill. More updates will be shared as estimates...