February 12, 2025 (Port Lavaca) – The Calhoun County Commissioners Court today ordered a special election for May 3, 2025 to create a new hospital district for Calhoun County. The election was initiated by a voter-led petition with 477 qualified signatures of registered voters in the county, which was well over the 3 percent requirement.
A hospital district will provide stable and reliable funding for Memorial Medical Center so that it can address the region’s immediate healthcare needs and prepare for increased demand as the population grows and additional industries choose Calhoun County for their operations.
“It’s critical that our thriving, growing community has a local hospital,” said Erin Clevenger, BSN, RN, Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Medical Center. “From emergent trauma care to chronic disease management and routine primary care, everyone in our community deserves access to world-class care right here at home, and a hospital district will help ensure that for years to come.”
The hospital currently receives no operating funds from the county. Combined with a significant charity care obligation for medical care for uninsured and low-income residents, underpayment from Medicaid and Medicare, decreasing supplemental payments, and payment delays and denials from commercial health insurance plans, the hospital’s revenue sources are not sufficient to cover the costs of charity care and make essential investments in the services, patient care technology, and personnel the community deserves.
The May 3 ballot will ask Calhoun County voters to approve or reject: “The creation of the Calhoun County Hospital District and the levy of annual property taxes for hospital purposes at a rate not to exceed forty cents ($0.40) on each $100 valuation of all taxable property in the district.”
If approved, the hospital district will be governed by a board of seven members appointed by the Commissioners Court. After their initial term, continued board service will require election by County voters.
Memorial Medical Center will recommend to the new hospital district board an initial tax levy of 10 cents ($0.10) on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the district, less any exemptions such as Homeowners and Over 65. An owner of property assessed at a value of $100,000 by the tax appraisal district would see a tax obligation of $100 a year, or $8.33 a month, or less if exemptions are present.
“The outlook for our community is bright,” added Clevenger. “With a hospital district, we’ll have an even stronger local healthcare system to keep powering our region’s flourishing growth.”
The Texas Legislature allows local communities to create hospital districts with voter approval to keep healthcare services available in the community and provide a stable source of funding. There are more than 140 voter-approved hospital districts in Texas.
The election will be held on May 3, 2025 with early voting taking place April 22-April 29.
ABOUT MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
Since 1950, Memorial Medical Center has served Calhoun County and beyond. MMC is composed of a 25-bed inpatient facility. 2 Rural Health Clinics, and a variety of outpatient services to meet the community’s primary and specialty care needs. MMC is a state-designated Level IV trauma care facility and is recognized by the American Heart Association for its success in using its “Get With the Guidelines” program for care of patients experiencing a stroke. More information at mmcportlavaca.com.
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