Paradise Town Council Reviews Plan for Health Care Recovery

The future of health care in Paradise remains uncertain as the town grapples with recovery efforts following the devastating Camp Fire. During a recent Paradise Town Council meeting, Recovery and Economic Development Director Colette Curtis outlined a preliminary plan aimed at enhancing local medical services. The town has enlisted the help of the Abaris Group, a consulting firm, to pave the way for this initiative, although council members expressed frustration with the current outcomes.

In March 2024, a task force was established, comprising town representatives and members of the Adventist Health Foundation Board. This group was tasked with assessing the health care needs of Paradise as the population is projected to grow. Curtis noted a significant gap in data regarding existing health care services, particularly in relation to what was available before the Camp Fire.

“Through that, we discovered that there was a severe lack of data on what existed currently, what existed before the fire, what a community of our size could reasonably expect when it comes to health care,” Curtis stated. The task force allocated $75,000 for the development of a Strategic Health Care Recovery Plan, with an additional $75,000 from the Adventist Health Foundation Board to conduct a comprehensive inventory of medical services in the area.

The report will compare current data to pre-Camp Fire statistics, providing a clearer picture of the town’s health care landscape. Curtis emphasized that this information will be critical in attracting new residents and addressing the needs of current residents.

Dr. David Ghilarducci and Bill Bullard from Abaris Group elaborated on the recovery plan, which outlines a phased approach spanning five, ten, and fifteen years. The goal is to rebuild a sustainable health care system not just for Paradise but also for surrounding communities such as Magalia and Stirling City.

“The demand for health care is increasing in this rapidly growing area,” Ghilarducci noted. With a current population of approximately 11,000, there is a rising need for both geriatric and pediatric services.

Projections indicate that the upcoming strategies will involve stakeholder engagement and long-term policy development to enhance health care access. Ghilarducci mentioned that while ambulance service hours have improved, there is still a shortfall in overnight coverage. “There may be some opportunities for supplemental funding for Butte County EMS to provide extra coverage,” he added.

The council’s feedback regarding the Abaris Group’s report was predominantly negative, with several members expressing dissatisfaction over inaccuracies in the data presented. Councilor Heidi Lange highlighted that the report incorrectly stated the absence of skilled nursing facilities, pointing to Sunshine Manor as an established option in the area. She also contested the enrollment figures for the Paradise Unified School District, stating the correct number is currently 1,832, not the reported over 4,000.

Lange’s concerns extended to the overall quality of the report. “For $150,000, I don’t think we got our money’s worth,” she remarked, referencing past reports that lacked actionable insights. Councilor Ron Lassonde echoed this sentiment, describing the previous reports as poorly structured and lacking the necessary detail for effective planning.

Councilor Greg Bolin raised concerns about the broader implications of rural hospital closures and shifts within the medical industry. The council ultimately chose not to accept the report, requesting that Abaris Group collaborate further with town staff to produce a more comprehensive and actionable document.

As Paradise continues to recover from the Camp Fire, the town’s health care planning will be critical in ensuring residents have access to the services they need. The council’s ongoing engagement with Abaris Group will be vital to shaping a robust health care framework for the future.