(COACHELLA) Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) is pleased to report AB 2414 was signed into law today by Governor Brown.
AB 2414, Desert Healthcare District Expansion: This bill will allow expansion of the existing Desert Healthcare District to include the East Coachella Valley region which will expand access to much needed healthcare services. The bill also requires the current board to increase to seven members. Two members will be appointed to fill the vacant positions provided that the two new members are residents of the newly annexed territory in the East Coachella region. The bill also directs the Desert Healthcare District to move board member elections into district voting by 2020. The expansion and funding for the Desert Health Care District will have to be approved by voters in the November 2018 election.
“Today’s signature of AB 2414 takes us one step closer to ensuring that the Desert Healthcare District serves all of the Coachella Valley. The expansion of the Desert Healthcare District benefits us all by giving our community a chance to improve the health disparities in the East Coachella Valley,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “Now we leave it to the voters to decide if this expansion is a viable option to address healthcare needs that exist in our district.” Assemblymember Garcia concluded.
During the legislative process, the Assembly Appropriations Committee chaired by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, requested the California Endowment to perform a feasibility study to look at mechanisms that will fund the expansion of the Desert Healthcare District. The expansion will not take place without a funding source.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland
