This morning’s editorial board meeting included a lively discussion about the future of Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol, which is close to insolvency. Difference arose over whether

could survive. A couple of us don’t believe that anything can save the beleaguered hospital, which is losing half a million dollars a month. One of us noted that, if the hospital had any hope of survival, it could be in the closing of Sutter Medical Center. But will enough former Sutter patients head to

to make a difference?

As tomorrow’s lead editorial opines, we all agree that Palm Drive is being battered by forces that are largely out of its control, including a large number of uninsured patients and low reimbursements from the government and insurers. Whether the west county community can continue to sustain a hospital in this inhospitable environment is an open question.