I am disappointed that after months of discussions, Fresno County apparently has decided not to accept suggestions from the federal government that could have enabled Community Medical Centers to receive as much as $54 million in special Medi-Cal funding over three years.

This money would have benefited the numerous needy patients that nonprofit Community serves as the region’s safety net. Instead, Community is preparing to repay the $18 million we received last year from the federal government as part of this special program.

Here’s some background.