KXO Radio AM1230 and FM 107.5

El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneers Memorial Hospital are back at the table discussing areas that Imperial County's two hospitals can work together.

The El Centro Regional Medical Center , in a joint meeting with the El Centro City Council last night , heard the results of a consultants report that would strengthen Imperial Valley's healthcare services. Nationwide, hospitals and healthcare facilities ares faced with declining reimbursement from Medicare and state funded programs as well as private insurance companies reducing payments to providers. The Pioneers Board of Trustees heard the report Tuesday.

As part of a long-term planning process, the two hospital boards contracted with Medical Development Specialists of El Segundo to study specific needs for Imperial Valley healthcare and develop options for the boards to consider. A rejuvenated Imperial Valley Health Resources Agency is one suggestion for joint efforts on issues such as structural requirements to meet new state mandates on seismic safety, trends in Medi-care and Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, staff recruitment and other concerns. Pioneers board president Aleta Shropshire said, " The idea is to find ways we can work together to resolve some very crucial issues facing both of our facilities." ECRMC board president Dr Charles Humphrey said, " Both hospitals share large startegic concerns, including difficulties in recruiting physicians, marginal profitability, funding new programs and meeting the needs of a rapidly growing region." The boards discussed a two year planning process as well as seeking community ideas on the futire of Imperial County's healthcare.