Bear Valley Healthcare District details Measure U results and hospital expansion plan; warns of federal funding risks

Bear Valley Community Healthcare District Chief Executive Officer Evan Rayner told the Big Bear Lake City Council on Sept. 10 that Measure U — a hospital parcel tax — passed with 79.8% approval and that the district is planning a staged hospital modernization and potential expansion of roughly 5.3 acres behind the current campus.

Rayner said Measure U revenue will largely support physicians, nurses and updated equipment and that about 82% of parcel owners will see a reduction while roughly 18% will see an increase in their parcel tax. He also warned the council that pending federal proposals (referred to in the presentation as "HR 1") are a “moving target” and could reduce funding streams that support California hospitals, including cuts that may affect Medi‑Cal enrollment and reimbursement.

"We are looking at limits to provider taxes, directed payments," Rayner said, and described estimates circulating among hospital associations that reductions could be substantial. He cited estimates presented by the California Hospital Association and others that California hospitals face…