Imperial Valley Health District

760.970.6046

information@iv-hd.org

601 Heber Avenue Calexico, CA 92231

About Imperial Valley Healthcare District

The Imperial Valley has historically faced healthcare disparities impacting primarily low-income residents, many of whom are immigrant farmworkers. The purpose of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) is to consolidate and coordinate medical services and improve healthcare access and cost-saving benefits for residents. The creation of IVHD, through state legislation, lays the foundation for a united, integrated healthcare system and improved, more sustainable, and expanded health services for residents of the Imperial Valley.

Creating one united, integrated healthcare system provides a foundation for improved, sustainable, and expanded health services for residents. Only two hospitals serve the entirety of Imperial County, and existing facilities are struggling financially and unable to make necessary health and safety repairs.

This consolidation could result in multi-millions of dollars in savings through the coordination of medical services, streamlined contracting, and reduced administrative costs. At the same time, we can expect these hospitals to qualify as a sole community hospital across two campuses which would trigger an increase in Medicare reimbursement of several millions of dollars per year.

Imperial Valley Health District

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about IVHD.

How and When Was the District Created?

In response to Imperial Valley’s urgent health crisis, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia introduced Assembly Bill 918 (AB 918), which established one united healthcare district in the County of Imperial. The legislation passed overwhelmingly, 78-0 in the State Assembly and 40-0 in the State Senate. This bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, 2023. 

How is the District Governed? What Oversight is in Place?

The initial Board includes representation from the previously existing Healthcare districts as well as local and tribal governments in Imperial County. The legislation that created IVHD requires that the board of directors shall consist of all elected members by the conclusion of the 2028 general election. These members will represent the seven Districts adopted by the board in May 2024 after a series of public meetings and community input.  

How is the District Funded?

A permanent funding source for IVHD is under development and will be presented to the voters at an election in either March or November 2026. If approved by voters, this would create a dedicated source of funding to support the maintenance of facilities and delivery of services to County residents. 

What Will Happen to Existing Hospitals in Imperial County?

The purpose of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District is to consolidate and coordinate medical services and improve healthcare access and cost-saving benefits for residents. Currently the County has Pioneers Memorial Hospital, a 107 bed facility, and the El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC), a 161-bed hospital. 

ECRMC has had a series of financial challenges that led to the closure of its maternal and child services ward, and as of the creation of the IVHD, was on the verge of financial collapse.  The Pioneers Memorial Hospital will be unable to retrofit due to escalating costs, their recent credit downgrade, and reports from engineers of requiring a complete physical restructure of the main hospital building and administrative wing.  

For these reasons it was crucial that a countywide healthcare district be created that can incorporate the facilities and stabilize healthcare in the Imperial Valley.  By existing under the IVHD, these hospitals are expected to qualify as a sole community hospital across two campuses which would trigger an increase in Medicare reimbursement of several millions of dollars per year

What Has the District Done Since its Creation in 2023?

The IVHD has achieved several milestones in the consolidation of healthcare services and meeting the requirements of the state legislation that created it. 

  1. Division into Voting Districts: The district has been successfully divided into seven voting districts, created through an open process that included several public hearings. 
  2. El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) Acquisition Terms: IVHD has approved a Letter of Intent for the acquisition of ECRMC and has entered into negotiations to finalize the process.
  3. Dissolution of Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District (HMHD): HMHD was dissolved as of July 25, 2024.
  4. Dissolution of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD): PMHD was dissolved as of October 24, 2024.