A Call to Action
We know that health care is at a pivotal time in our country. Passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” last summer will change how Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) work, affecting more than 130 million citizens who rely on these programs (see page 24).
Regardless of where one stands on the political spectrum, what is undeniable is that this legislation created a perfect storm
for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers. Humboldt’s healthcare system, already challenged in recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and related healthcare workers, must reexamine strategic plans to continue delivering the desired level of service.
Retired physicians Bruce Kessler and Jack Irvine have updated statistics on the decline of medical personnel in Humboldt County. According to data from one source — the Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society — the number of primary care physicians (PCPs) in Humboldt
County has declined 36% since 2005, and 11% just from last year, when they first reported these data. The number of specialists — psychiatrists, surgeons and a range of medical specialties from cardiologists to rheumatologists — has dropped between 25% and 75% since 2005, and some don’t practice here anymore at all (see page 3).
In rural communities like ours, challenges compounded by low population density, isolated terrain and long distances to urban areas create barriers to attracting and retaining physicians and other healthcare professionals. At the same time, our community is faced with barriers to facilitating robust economic activity necessary to support a stable and accessible healthcare system. As a result, concerns about potential hospital closures are not unfounded. Becker’s Hospital Review, a leading industry monitor, reported “accelerated” hospital and emergency department closures in 2025, “with nearly 800 rural hospitals considered at risk.”
Despite urgent calls to action both in our region and in many other rural areas across the country, little progress has been achieved to arrest the weakening of local healthcare systems. While discouraging, the deterioration of Humboldt’s healthcare system is not surprising.
However, there is hope if we act decisively. Longtime community organizer Peter Pennekamp recently said that there has never been a time in the last quarter-century that smart, dedicated people and institutions have not been working valiantly to improve access to quality health care in our region. Humboldt County Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, along with local healthcare leaders and mental health professionals, has drawn attention to this issue.
Following last year’s special issue of “Senior News” (“Health Care & Aging in Humboldt,” May 2025) and Humboldt Senior Resource Center’s “Supporting Healthy Aging” conference that month, efforts began to bring together community members to address this challenge. In March, a small group of local business and public organization leaders met to consider whether we, as employers, have a responsibility to consider multifaceted strategies and innovative and collaborative access in our region.
The answer to this question was a resounding yes.
We recognize that future discussions must include other community voices with lived experiences that will, we hope, form collective actionable solutions to our healthcare crisis. So, we have committed to pull additional businesses into our next few conversations to explore innovative ways to improve access and equity in health care in our region.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Richard Carvajal, Steve Karp and Bethany Gilden (Cal Poly Humboldt,) Ginger Weber (Premier Financial Group), Nancy Olson (Eureka Chamber of Commerce), Dan Phillips (Lost Coast Ventures), Jessica Maciel (Humboldt County administration) and Fred Moore (president & CEO of Coast Central Credit Union) for participating in this first meeting.
Our hope is that, through renewed collective action, we will be able ensure that our families and neighbors have access to the care and resources needed to thrive. We will report back on our progress.
Dr. Keith Flamer is president/ superintendent of College of the Redwoods and convener of the New Vision for Humboldt Health Care Task Force.
