The Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) has approved the terms of the merger of Pioneers Memorial Hospital and El Centro Regional Medical Center.

At a Thursday night meeting the IVHD Board of Directors accepted the terms approved by the El Centro City Council earlier in the week. The merger of the two Imperial Valley healthcare providers, as set out in the form of Assembly Bill 895, will now proceed with a unified front. The Imperial Valley Healthcare District will set up the mechanism to operate both hospitals and various specialty service clinics. The merger, which also includes the Heffernan Memorial Hospital District, will now proceed with the completion of a county-wide district with taxing authority to fund the operations. The unified healthcare system is expected to better meet the needs of Imperial Valley residents, strengthen the medical workforce by being able to attract more physicians, expand specialty services and create a sustainable healthcare system.