Bringing Healthcare Back to the Ridge: What We Heard and What’s Next
Thank you to everyone who came out Friday night to the Cozy Diner for our first community conversation about healthcare on the Ridge. Andy Waldrop and I were grateful for the turnout, the questions, and the stories you shared.
We were also thankful to have these guests in the room:
- Supervisor Doug Teeter, Butte County District 5
- Monica Soderstrom, Butte County Public Health Director
- John Poland, director of our regional EMS agency (Sierra-Sacramento Valley EMS)
- Tasha Weaver, from State Senator Megan Dahle’s office
They came to listen, and they ended up answering questions and offering ideas all evening. Their being there was a gift of their time, not an endorsement of any candidate.
Where things stand
Nobody announced a hospital Friday night, and we won’t pretend otherwise. Getting a hospital or ER back is a long road with real hurdles: funding, staffing, and federal and state rules about how hospitals are classified and paid.
There is a state law that allows an emergency stabilization permit in Paradise. As written, it only works for the hospital that used to be here; it expires in 2028, and it hasn’t been used. A similar bill for another community was vetoed this year. Even so, Senator Dahle’s office is going back to look at whether extending or broadening Paradise’s law could be worth pursuing. We’re grateful they’re taking a look, and we’ll share what we hear.
“Long road” doesn’t mean “nothing we can do.” This is about the whole Ridge (Paradise, Magalia, Paradise Pines, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon, and Stirling City), not just the Town limits.
What we heard
- Use what we already have, and build on it. The lab on Clark Road is a start. It’s often not busy, so it’s a good option for bloodwork closer to home. For rides, B-Line PLUS offers Dial-A-Ride for residents 70 and older and paratransit for riders with a qualifying disability, and medical trips can be booked through PLUS Regional. Call (530) 342-0221 to check eligibility and whether your address is covered. Getting the word out about services like these is a first step.
- Bring care up the hill in pieces. Ideas included specialty clinic days, expanded maternal and prenatal care, telehealth, and rural clinics connected to a larger hospital system, a model used in other rural communities.
- Strengthen emergency response. We talked about ambulance coverage, paramedic-level care on fire engines, and tools that help first responders on longer transports.
- Make the Ridge “medical-wise” as well as “Firewise.” More neighbors trained in hands-only CPR, AED use, and Stop the Bleed means more lives saved in those first critical minutes.
- Join what’s already happening. Paradise Stronger and the Magalia Community Center already hold wellness events, and we’d like to support them rather than start something new.
Next steps
We’re following up with community health providers, local tribal health programs, regional grant writers, and our county and state representatives. We’ll share what we learn.
One great suggestion from the meeting: the UC Davis Rural Health Summit is on Tuesday, October 27, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at Aggie Square in Sacramento. Some sessions will also be available online. It’s a chance to hear what’s working in other rural communities and to connect with people doing this work across Northern California. Anyone who cares about healthcare on the Ridge is welcome to register: UC Davis Rural Health Summit
There’s no date for a second meeting yet. We want to hear from you first. Would you come to one in early November, let us know in the comments or send a message.
How you can help
- Read the options handout from the meeting: Ridge Healthcare Options Handout (PDF). This is the handout as shared at the meeting; some details have been updated in this post.
- Volunteer with one of our working groups: Volunteer Sign-Up
- Share your healthcare story. Your experiences help make the case to decision-makers: Share Your Story
Small steps, taken together, add up. Thank you for showing up for each other.
— Serra
Paid for by Serra Blaine for Paradise Town Council 2026, FPPC ID# 1496330
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