Richmond officials to discuss fate of financially troubled hospital

SAN PABLO, Calif. (KGO) -- On Tuesday, the Richmond City Council will take up a plan to keep financially troubled Doctors Medical Center in nearby San Pablo open.

City leaders will discuss the possibility of diverting $20 million from a $90 million settlement paid to Richmond by the Chevron Corporation.

The payment was part of a deal to allow Chevron to expand its Richmond refinery.

The state has also authorized a onetime payment of $3 million to Doctors Medical Center.

Even if the payment is approved, questions remain about when the money would be available, and the hospital's long term prospects of survival.