Narrow lead for Hollister hospital sale measure

Measure X, San Benito Health Care District’s initiative to approve the sale of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to Michigan-based Insight Health, is on its way to being passed, according to the latest election results

With 40.57% of votes cast, the “Yes” vote is leading with 51.17% compared to 48.83% for the “No” vote.

Measure X faced opposition from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, which put the advisory Measure B on the ballot. 

A “Yes” vote for Measure B supports the creation of a joint powers authority to take over HHMH. A “No” vote supports a private sale to Insight. As of Nov.6, a majority of voters opted for the JPA when given the choice between that and a private sale

With 40.71% of the vote cast, “Yes” votes for Measure B are leading with 71.76% compared to 28.24% for “No”

San Benito County Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki, who is against the hospital sale and supported the drafting of Measure B, thinks the discrepancy between the overwhelming support for a public option and the tied up hospital measure comes down to messaging.

“I just felt like it was a very misleading campaign. And […] I’m just not so sure a large chunk of the public really knew exactly what they were voting on with Measure X, because it just doesn’t make any sense that 71, 72% of the public — which is about as big of a landslide as you can get — would support this JPA option, which is essentially saying they support government coming together and finding a solution for the hospital,” Kosmicki said.

Measure X text: “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?”Measure B text: “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?”