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Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital announced Nov. 18 that voters approved San Benito Health Care District’s Measure X, which was ahead by 722 votes in the latest update issued Nov. 14.
Passage of Measure X will give the health care district, which governs the hospital, the authority to approve a lease-purchase option agreement with Insight Health or another organization of its choosing for an indefinite amount of time.
Dayne Walling, Insight’s director of public policy and government relations, said his staff has gotten to know the community and understand the needs, concerns and challenges in accessing health and wellness services.
“Seeing the public support for the measure, we’re excited to move forward with the San Benito Health Care District and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and get to work transforming the hospital into a beacon of the community offering patient care second to none for all,” he said.
The health care district owns Hazel Hawkins’ main facilities on Sunset Drive, the Mabie First Street Healthcare Center at 321 First Street and Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility at 900 Sunset Drive.
Of the unprocessed ballots, 841 are damaged, unreadable or challenged and five are provisional. The San Benito County Elections office is expected to provide its next results update Nov. 21.
The health care district said the Measure X results pave the way for a revitalized hospital, ensuring its long-term stability and expanding health care access for the community.
“We are grateful to the residents of San Benito County for their support in securing a brighter future for our community’s hospital,” said Board President Jeri Hernandez. “With this vote, we can now proceed with negotiations and finalize an agreement with Insight to support a seamless transition and maintain high-quality care for our residents.”
The statement goes on to say Hazel Hawkins has faced serious financial challenges since 2022 and that it will benefit from a significant capital infusion, expansion of health care services, and a robust physician recruitment program through its anticipated partnership with Insight.
“Over the next few months, the district and Insight will finalize the terms and transition plans, with updates provided in upcoming public meetings to ensure transparency and community engagement throughout the process,” the statement reads.
The principal terms are outlined below.
BenitoLink attended the Oct. 24 health care district meeting where Director Bill Johnson said while the definitive agreement was still under negotiation, its terms would be discussed with the public before the board makes a decision.
“No decisions will be made without thinking about the best interest of the community,” he said.
Insight has committed to retaining staff and investing in crucial equipment and facility upgrades, signaling a strong commitment to both the hospital and the community it serves, according to the health care district statement.
Insight Healthcare Group, a Mighican-based for-profit health care provider, is seeking to create a California nonprofit that would operate the hospital, mirroring an operation it has in Chicago. Insight’s Chicago nonprofit is “based upon universal Islamic teachings that are inclusive, respectful and inviting of all faiths and non-faith communities.”
According to its website, Insight was founded in 2008 by neurosurgeon Dr. Jawad Shah who in 2010 established Insight Flint.
According to the term sheet, Insight is required to “maintain a board that shall include a majority of its members as individuals who are independent of purchaser’s organization.”
In Insight Chicago’s case, the 19-member board includes four members from Insight’s seven-member executive team.
Follow our Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital coverage here.
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