UCI Health Lays Off 150 Workers, Abruptly Closes Pediatric Units at Fountain Valley — 85% of Patients on Medi-Cal

UCI Health laid off 150 workers and abruptly closed the pediatrics department and PICU at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital on March 23 — patients had to be transported to other hospitals mid-care. 35 nurses received layoff notices. CNA/NNU rallied April 1. UCI Health cited H.R. 1 and insurance reimbursement shifts. 85% of the roughly 500 annual pediatric patients are on Medi-Cal. The closure disrupts referral networks for Orange County FQHCs that depend on Fountain Valley for pediatric specialty care.