Sierra Kings District Hospital Backs $6 Million Bond Measure
Following several local hospital closures, officials at the Sierra Kings District Hospital hope that Measure H -- a $6 million bond measure on the March ballot -- will help the facility meet "increased demands" from patients, the Fresno Bee reports. The measure, which requires a two-thirds vote for approval, would require homeowners to pay $28 per year over 30 years for a $100,000 house, the Bee reports. Supporters of the bond measure said that the proposal would provide $4.5 million to help Sierra Kings meet state seismic standards and to improve the hospital's birthing center. In addition, the hospital would receive $750,000 to improve emergency services and a similar amount to improve radiology. Sierra Kings, which serves about 50,000 residents in Reedley, Dinuba and Parlier, treats about 1,000 patients per day. The hospital has 235 employees and 37 physicians on staff. Sierra Kings CEO Gerald Star said, "For the near term, the 5- to 15-year horizon, this [bond measure] is a reasonable investment to ensure the population that this hospital exists." Hospital officials today will ask the Reedley City Council to endorse the bond measure, the Bee reports (Coleman, Fresno Bee, 1/22).
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