Contrary to rumor, health centers operated by Santa Barbara County are not closing, and patients are not being cast out.

Rather, the county is in the process of transferring 7,500 patients with “unsatisfactory immigration status” to other healthcare providers in an effort to preserve care for some 23,000 patients, and avoid federal financial repercussions.

On Tuesday, a County Health budget plan to address a $5.2 million 2025-26 shortfall created by federal funding cuts and financial fallout from the patient transfers, was put off until Nov. 18 on Tuesday with a unanimous vote by county supervisors.

County Health also anticipates an $8.2 million shortfall next fiscal year.

Transferring the patients could allow continued operation of the county’s five clinics while allowing them to co

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