EL CENTRO — The dissolution of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD), nearly 75 years after its inception, has ignited a complex legal and community debate in Imperial County. Mandated by Assembly Bill 918 (AB 918), the dissolution aims to consolidate healthcare under a single Imperial County healthcare district. However, Pioneers Memorial is challenging this implementation through a lawsuit filed in the Imperial County Superior Court, putting all ramifications on hold.
On Thursday, October 24th, the Imperial County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted 4-1 to dissolve the district, which was originally established on October 29, 1950. This decision, made just days before its 74th anniversary, was preceded by a detailed explanation of the dissolution’s implications presented to LAFCO.
Assembly Bill 918, authored by Assembly member Eduardo Garcia, set a deadline of January 21, 2025, for the dissolution of Pioneers Memorial by the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD). LAFCO Executive Director Tyler Salcido clarified that while IVHD had requested a dissolution date no later than December 1st, LAFCO was not bound by this date and could choose an alternative.
Salcido further explained the legal complexities arising from a recent court hearing. Judge Brooks Anderholt of the Superior Court had issued a “stay” concerning the dissolution. This stay permits the dissolution process to proceed on paper, but effectively freezes the practical implementation, including the transfer of assets and licenses, pending further court decisions.
“As far as the implementation, transfer of assets, licenses and anything as of the last court hearing cannot be implemented until the final courts decide whatever they’re going to do,” Salcido stated, underscoring the legal limbo surrounding the dissolution’s actual effects on Brawley Pioneer Hospital, also known as Pioneers Memorial Hospital.
The core purpose of the dissolution is to consolidate the assets and records of both PMHD and the already dissolved Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District under the umbrella of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District. IVHD is also currently engaged in negotiations to transfer assets from El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC), indicating a broader move towards healthcare consolidation in the region.
John Grass, a Brawley resident and president of the Imperial Valley Coalition for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities, strongly cautioned LAFCO against proceeding with the vote while AB 918 remains under legal contention. He emphasized that “No dissolution of PMHD should occur until the issue of AB 918’s legality is properly and fully adjudicated,” highlighting the significant legal uncertainties.
Grass argued that proceeding with the dissolution amidst legal challenges would undermine community self-determination, voting rights, and property rights, concerns echoed by many Brawley residents who feel their voices are being ignored in this process. He also pointed out that thousands of residents had signed a petition to maintain the existing healthcare system, indicating strong local opposition to the dissolution of Brawley Pioneer Hospital as a distinct entity.
The Imperial County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) convenes to vote on the proposed dissolution of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District on Thursday, October 24th.
Lupe Garcia, another concerned resident, voiced the apprehension of Brawley residents about potentially bearing the financial burden of ECRMC’s past financial difficulties. She questioned how IVHD would address ECRMC’s substantial debt, exceeding $200 million, and whether Imperial Valley residents would face increased taxes to cover these liabilities. Garcia highlighted the lack of transparency, stating, “IVHD has not yet completed and made public any independent study regarding the additional taxes that Imperial County residents will need to pay if and when the ECRMC acquisition is approved.” This financial uncertainty is a major point of contention for residents worried about the future of healthcare services in Brawley and the wider Imperial County.
Karen Smith, also from Brawley, proposed that LAFCO should incorporate into the dissolution resolution a suspension of property tax levies for PMHD residents in Brawley. This suspension would remain in effect “until a new IVHD tax is approved by a countywide vote,” advocating for local financial protection amidst the healthcare restructuring.
Carson Kalin, a Brawley resident, criticized IVHD for a lack of engagement with the Brawley community. He stated that IVHD “has not held a single meeting in the Brawley district, and “they’ve not sought to hear from us or welcome our public comments at their monthly regular meetings, and this so deeply concerning considering the power that they want to have over us and our tax dollars.” Kalin’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of disenfranchisement and lack of representation felt by the Brawley community in the face of the impending changes to Brawley Pioneer Hospital.
John Grass, president of the Imperial Valley Coalition for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities, speaks against the dissolution of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District to the Local Agency Formation Commission, citing legal concerns surrounding AB 918.
Letters from Brawley-area physicians, Dr. George Fareed and Dr. Kestutis Kuraitis, were read by Roy Motter, further amplifying concerns about the dissolution. Dr. Fareed expressed worries about the impact of uncertainty on healthcare professionals, stating, “I have seen how the uncertainty of new management under IVHD or (UCSD Health) has caused fear and anger in many of my coworkers. As a physician, I understand the need to ensure hospitals stay open. The abrupt dissolution of a healthy and profitable hospital in hopes of propping up another failing hospital is nonsensical and puts all healthcare in the Valley at risk.” Dr. Kuraitis, an obstetrician-gynecologist, warned that the dissolution process would negatively impact women’s health services in the Imperial Valley, raising specific concerns about healthcare access.
Significantly, all public comments and testimonies came from supporters of Pioneers Memorial Hospital. No representatives from the Imperial Valley Healthcare District addressed the LAFCO meeting, nor was Assembly member Garcia, the author of AB 918, present.
Following the meeting, IVHD President Katie Burnworth conveyed a contrasting perspective, stating, “We commend Imperial County LAFCO for their actions today, which will move us closer to our goals of bringing Imperial Valley residents the quality healthcare they deserve.” She asserted that “Creating one united healthcare system in Imperial County will lead to more sustainable and expanded health services for residents. … We expect the unified healthcare district to both improve access to care and not only save taxpayers money, but potentially attract new resources through increased medicare reimbursements.”
Chris Bjornberg, the part-time executive director of IVHD and former manager of Pioneers Memorial, sought to reassure the community that the dissolution would not disrupt hospital operations. “Today would be no different than tomorrow … nothing changes. The biggest change that happens is there will be new leadership there. There will be a new board. That’s the only difference. Nothing changes for the hospital. The hospital still remains operational, the hospital still remains open, the people still have their jobs, and people will continue to have their jobs. That does not change. IVHD stands ready right now to be ready to receive.” Bjornberg emphasized ongoing coordination with the state Department of Public Health to ensure a smooth transition.
Adding a political dimension to the proceedings, Republican Assembly candidate Jeff Gonzalez and Republican Congressional candidate Ian Weeks were present at the LAFCO meeting, indicating the political interest surrounding the future of healthcare in Imperial County and specifically Brawley Pioneer Hospital.
Pioneers Memorial board President Katie Santillan, a prominent voice against AB 918, had previously urged caution to LAFCO before the vote. “Don’t rush. Trying to put hospitals together doesn’t take 10 or 11 months, it takes longer than that. And that’s the advice that we gave to the author of AB 918,” she stated, highlighting the complexities of healthcare consolidation. Santillan also pointed to the ongoing lawsuit as a consequence of the rushed process and questioned the financial rationale behind the dissolution, noting Pioneers Memorial’s healthy financial state compared to the challenges faced by El Centro Regional Medical Center. “There would have been no lawsuits if you would have extended Pioneers across the board in the district. You would have saved that money. It didn’t happen that way, instead law is being made, forced without our opinion. And it’s very sad that it’s not being told in the public that El Centro right now has lost quite a bit of money, and there’s more bills to be paid. We’ve got $40 million in cash right now.”
The dissolution of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District, while formally approved by LAFCO, remains entangled in legal proceedings and faces significant community skepticism. The future of healthcare in Brawley and Imperial County hinges on the resolution of the lawsuit and the ability of IVHD to address the concerns raised by residents and healthcare professionals alike.
