District, Insight move toward hospital sale following successful Measure X campaign

San Benito Health Care District officials and representatives of Insight Health this week declared that Measure X has received voter approval in the Nov. 5 election, issuing statements on their next efforts to transfer ownership of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to the Michigan-based healthcare firm. 

According to election results posted Nov. 15 by the San Benito County elections office, 51.41% of ballots voted “yes” for Measure X; that comes out to 13,123 ballots. A total of 12,401 people have voted “no” on Measure X. 

The measure asked voters if the district should lease HHMH to Insight, with an option to purchase the hospital and all the district’s assets. 

“We are grateful to the residents of San Benito County for their support in securing a brighter future for our community’s hospital,” SBHCD Board President Jeri Hernandez said in a statement. “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 approval of Measure X allows the district to move forward with a sale or lease of its assets to a qualified buyer or partner, the district added in a press release. The result means that HHMH, which has faced financial challenges since 2022, will receive a capital infusion, expansion of healthcare services and a robust physician recruitment program through its anticipated partnership with Insight. 

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 district. 

Dayne Walling, Insight Director of Public Police and Government Relations, said in a statement, “Over the past several months, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the San Benito community and many of the wonderful people here who have helped us truly understand their needs, concerns and the challenges they face gaining access to even the most basic 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.”

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 district added. 

Observers have noted that the results of Measure X are inconsistent with the sentiment expressed in the results of Nov. 5 ballot Measure B, an advisory, non-binding resolution placed on the ballot by San Benito County. Asking voters if HHMH should remain under local, public control through the establishment of a joint powers authority, 73% of voters said “yes” to Measure B, according to the latest results.