News and editorial articles from across Imperial County.
As we watched the actions from the beginning of the “merger” of the county’s only two hospitals into a single district, the lack of transparency has been an overriding concern. There is much evidence of this, but let’s focus on the current lack of transparency — from first the new healthcare district and secondly, University
El Centro, CA (October 24, 2024) – The creation of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) under AB918 prioritizes expediency over developing a sustainable and equitable healthcare system. The actions by the IVHD and LAFCO today will irreparably change the healthcare landscape of our county all without a single vote of our citizens and without critical financial
There is ample evidence that the priority of AB918 and the creation of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) was expediency; and not in the real interest of designing a well-functioning, equitable and sustainable healthcare system. This Thursday, October 24th that priority of expediency will be weighed against the rights of voters. It will be an
In our previous letter, we questioned why the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) is so intent on handing over management of the new district to UCSD Health. Given UCSD’s poor track record running ECRMC for nearly the past decade, it makes no sense. Remember, it’s the “imminent financial collapse” of ECRMC that made implementing AB918
Pioneers Files Injunction in State Superior Court As we said before, we believe Pioneers is right in its pursuit to have AB918 thrown out. The fight continues: Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD) has now filed an injunction regarding the implementation of AB918 in state court following a ruling by a Federal judge. We have also
He’s at it again. After ramming through the deeply flawed AB 918 last year, Assemblymember Garcia’s missteps have only multiplied. Now, with the legislative session nearing its end this week, Garcia was hoping he could quietly push through a “clean up” bill, SB 1070, as a last-minute attempt to rectify some of the critical flaws
What we saw Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the hastily-called Imperial Valley Healthcare District press conference was a self-serving, congratulatory pat on the back for the seven appointed board members of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD), Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, and Senator Steve Padilla. While the purpose of the deeply flawed, poorly drafted legislation known
On Thursday June 13, 2024, the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) passed a resolution to recommend the dissolution of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD) on December 1 and Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District on October 1, 2024. This action was taken in following the mandates established in AB918. What does “dissolution” mean? Section 32499.95(b) states: “Effective on
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and Senator Steve Padilla continue to focus on health care and its financial situation. Assembly bill 2098 authored by Garcia has recently been approved in the Assembly and moves to the Senate for Padilla’s management of it. The summary states, “Under existing law, the California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act (act) authorizes the
In April 2024, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD) filed a writ of mandate in Imperial County Superior Court, seeking declaratory relief from Assembly Bill 918, which the district claims has adversely affected its operations and threatens to undermine healthcare in the Imperial Valley. AB 918 resulted in a set of special laws applicable only to