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After voting for the sale to Insight, two board members, President Jeri Hernandez and Rick Shelton are stepping down from the board in November.
The Board of San Benito Health Care District had 2 special meetings, after the intial regular meeting, to get a ballot statement correct. A measure to challenge the legality of the wording, including the statement "Without raising taxes" was dismissed by a court commissioner due to a clerical error on the petitioner's part.
The entire board voted to sell all the assets of the San Benito Health Care District to Insight or "some other qualified company"), except for the real estate, which they will lease for 5 years with an option to purchase. There is no financial terms set, Insight has agreed to make job offers to 90% of the current workforce, but did not state they will be for the same positions or same rate of pay.
The County of San Benito is putting an advisory question on the November 5, 2024 ballot that will ask the question "To keep Hazel Hawkins Hospital public and under local control, shall the County of San Benito establish an agreement with the San Benito Health Care District and other interested jurisdictions to form a partnership in the form of a Joint Powers Authority to operate the hospital?"
The San Benito Health Care District is putting Measure X on the November 5, 2024 ballot that will ask the question "Without increasing taxes and to continue providing local access to emergency medical care, surgery, radiology, long-term care, mother/baby care, clinic and physician services at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, shall San Benito Health Care District’s measure be adopted, leasing (with lessee option to purchase) certain District real property assets, and selling substantially all other District assets, to nonprofit Insight Health Foundation of California, Inc. (or another qualified buyer) for fair market value, determined by independent appraisal, providing local oversight and continued hospital services in San Benito County?"
The recall effort of the Board Member for Zone 4 will relaunch shortly to start the 90 day clock.