Five Ventura County hospitals face financial penalties because the federal government says they exceeded new standards for infection rates and patient safety measures. More than 720 hospitals in the nation — about one of five of the eligible facilities — will see their Medicare payments reduced 1 percent in the 2015 fiscal year as a result of an Affordable Care Act program aimed at improving care and protecting patients.Hospitals in Ventura County facing the pay reduction include Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, St.