Two Monterey County hospitals have submitted letters of intent petitioning to become level two trauma centers. Natividad Medical Center and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital have both made changes in preparation of the choice. Currently, serious injuries are flown to trauma centers in San Jose, which costs the county $30,000 per trip and increase treatment time for severely injured patients. The two hospitals vying for trauma center status from the state will be subject to a review panel in September, and if selected would be able to begin trauma procedures by January of 2015.
