Glenn Medical Center closure will end hospital, ER services in Willows on Oct. 21, 2025, costing 225 jobs
Glenn Medical Center in Willows, California, will permanently close its hospital and emergency room on October 21, 2025, after losing Critical Access Hospital status, a move that will eliminate 225 jobs while outpatient clinics remain open.
Key takeaways
- Hospital and emergency room at Glenn Medical Center will close permanently on Oct. 21, 2025.
- Closure followed a final revocation of Critical Access Hospital status because the hospital sits about 32 miles from Colusa Medical Center, three miles short of the 35-mile requirement.
- A WARN notice filed Aug. 22 lists 225 affected employees (approximately 150 full- and part-time and 75 per diem), covering clinical, administrative and leadership roles (source).
- Outpatient clinics including Family Care Clinic and Glenn Family Medical Group will remain open and staffed (KRCR-TV).
Key information
Closure date: The hospital and emergency room are slated to close permanently on Oct. 21, 2025. See reporting from Becker’s Hospital Review for details.
Reason: The closure follows the loss of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status after CMS determined the facility is approximately 32 miles from Colusa Medical Center — three miles short of the 35-mile federal minimum (Becker’s; JRReport).
Why the hospital is closing: Critical Access Hospital status revoked
According to hospital leadership, losing CAH designation removed higher Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates that help keep small rural hospitals viable. Without that federal support, Glenn Medical Center said it cannot operate inpatient and emergency services sustainably.
CMS notified the facility in April 2025 that it did not meet the CAH geographic requirement. Hospital leaders and community advocates appealed the decision but were unable to reverse the revocation; the final notice described the planned inpatient and ER shutdown as expected to be permanent (Becker’s; JRReport).
Jobs and WARN notice: who will be affected
On Aug. 22, Glenn Medical Center filed a WARN notice signaling mass layoffs for 225 employees. The notice breaks the total into roughly 150 full- and part-time staff and about 75 per diem workers. Layoffs span:
- Nursing and clinical staff
- Allied health and technical workers
- Operations and facilities employees
- Administrative, leadership and management roles
Hospital officials acknowledged the “significant impact” on staff and their families and pledged to provide job-placement services and coordination with local workforce agencies (Becker’s).
Services that will continue and patient care plans
Glenn Medical Center said outpatient services, including Family Care Clinic and Glenn Family Medical Group, will remain open. These clinics will continue to offer primary care, specialty clinics and other non-emergency services for local residents (KRCR-TV; JRReport).
“We are heartbroken at the outcome but remain focused on patient care in the clinics and on helping staff transition to new employment,” Hospital Administrator Lauren Still told local reporters.
Timeline and appeals
- April 2025: CMS notified Glenn Medical Center it failed to meet CAH geographic criteria and that CAH status was at risk (Becker’s background).
- Following April: Appeals by hospital leaders and community advocates were unsuccessful (KRCR-TV; JRReport).
- Aug. 22, 2025: WARN notice filed for 225 layoffs (Becker’s).
- Oct. 21, 2025: Hospital and emergency room slated to close permanently (Becker’s; KRCR-TV).
Emergency care guidance for residents
With the Willows ER closing, residents must plan for longer travel times in emergencies. Local officials recommend seeking emergency care at nearby hospitals:
- Colusa Medical Center (Colusa)
- Enloe Medical Center (Chico)
- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital (Red Bluff)
Patients should know the closest trauma and emergency services and arrange transportation when possible. The change may increase demands on ambulance services and extend response times for parts of Glenn County (KRCR-TV).
Local reaction and community concerns
Community members and local leaders expressed concern about losing a hospital in a rural area: a hospital is an employer, economic anchor and public-safety asset. Residents worry complex cases will require transfers to larger centers, increasing costs and stress for families without easy transportation (Becker’s).
Implications for Redding, California
Economic impact
Loss of 225 Willows hospital jobs may push displaced workers toward larger centers such as Redding, Chico or Tehama County, increasing competition for open positions and affecting recruitment and training needs across the North State (Becker’s).
Patient access and regional emergency services
Redding hospitals may see indirect effects if Glenn patients travel to Enloe or other regional centers. Emergency services and hospitals should coordinate regionally to track shifts in patient flow and prepare for potential increases in transfers.
Political and policy considerations
The CAH rule’s strict geographic threshold — and the hospital missing it by three miles — may prompt policymakers and local leaders to review federal distance rules and explore state or local measures to sustain rural access when federal support ends (Becker’s background).
Resources and next steps for affected workers
Glenn Medical Center said it will offer job placement assistance and coordinate with local employment agencies. Redding-area employers, workforce groups, hospitals and clinics may be key partners in placing displaced healthcare workers and identifying training opportunities (Becker’s).
Reporting and sources
This article draws on reporting from Becker’s Hospital Review, JRReport and KRCR-TV. Full sources:
