January 29, 2025 (Port Lavaca) – The Calhoun County Commissioners Court today receives a voter-initiated petition to create a new hospital district for the community. The request includes a petition signed by 499 registered voters in the county to support the hospital district creation.
“The petition is the first step in the process to secure voter approval to create a hospital district for our community,” said Erin Clevenger, BSN, RN, chief executive officer, Memorial Medical Center. “For 75 years, Memorial Medical Center has had the privilege of serving our community. With the community’s support, we can continue that legacy of innovation, investment, and service to the residents of Calhoun County for at least 75 more.”
A hospital district will provide stable and reliable funding for the hospital 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. The hospital is required by law to provide care to the uninsured and receives no operating funds from the county. Combined with 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 indigent care and future investments in the services, technology, and personnel the community deserves.
The Texas Legislature allows local communities to create hospital districts 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 Commissioners Court of Calhoun County will hold a hearing on the petition Feb. 5. If approved, the item will appear on a special election ballot April 12.
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