Sacramento, California - AB 2414 authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), cleared the Assembly floor today.  This bill will expand the existing Desert Healthcare District to include the entire Coachella Valley region.

“Currently, there are significant barriers preventing Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) residents’ access to healthcare providers and services. This has been well-documented by numerous stakeholders in the region,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “Stakeholders and I believe that expanding the current healthcare district could help in addressing these healthcare disparities,” Assemblymember Garcia concluded.

AB 2414 will allow expansion of the existing Desert Healthcare District to include the East Coachella Valley region.

• The bill will require the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to file a resolution with LAFCo. The resolution will state that LAFCo will initiate a comprehensive review and make recommendations on the new boundaries. 

• The expanded district will include the cities of Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella and the unincorporated areas of Bermuda Dunes, Mecca, Thermal, Oasis, North Shore and Vista Santa Rosa.

• The bill requires the current board to expand to seven members. Two members will be appointed by the board to fill the vacant positions provided that the two new members are residents of the newly annexed territory. After that, the board will continue to operate as it has in the past. 

• The expansion and funding for the Desert Health Care District will have to be approved by voters in the November 2018 election.

AB 2414 (E. Garcia) – Desert Healthcare District cleared the Assembly and next goes to the Senate.