March 14th 2021 O.A.

Protests Against the Closure of Sakura ICF

Protests against the closure of Sakura ICF, a senior intermediate care facility, have been held in the Japanese-American community.

Sakura ICF is part of Sakura Gardens, a senior community located in Boyle Heights. The facility offers bilingual nursing for Japanese-American seniors that need healthcare.

Pacifica Cos., owner of Sakura Gardens, has officially announced its plans to close Sakura ICF for substantial financial loss on February 26.

Pacficia had been going forward with a plan to renovate Sakura ICF and build an apartment complex since last year. Although a detailed schedule was not stated in the release, residents and their families are at a loss.

When Pacific bought the facility in 2016, it did so with the approval of California Attorney General with the stipulation it will provide existing services for 5 years. However, with the contract coming to an end, the company has released its plans for closure of the facility.

Pacifica plans to relocate about 60 residents to other Pacifica-owned facilities.
Kei-Ai Los Angeles and Kei-Ai South Bay, however, had the biggest outbreak and deaths in nursing homes in Los Angeles.

Organizations and politicians protesting are currently peti-tioning for services to extend. Assembly Member Al Mu-ratsuchi and Miguel Santiago has introduced a bill to prohibit care facilities from ceasing or making significant changes to the care services for nursing facilities.
He is now asking for support so the bill passes the California State Legislature.

Protest organizations have been appealing to the California Department of Justice for an extension of the 5-year service, however they have been unable to hear a conclusive answer from not only Pacifica Cos., but from the facility’s former owners, Keiro Board of Directors.