The Hunt Memorial Hospital District, operating as Hunt Regional Healthcare, has announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a request for a $29.3 million bond election, set to appear on the May 3rd ballot. If approved by Hunt County voters, the bond will fund critical upgrades and expansions at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville.
The proposed bond aims to address the rapidly growing healthcare needs of Hunt County, one of Texas' fastest-growing regions. From 2022 to 2023, the county experienced nearly 5% population growth, and since 2010, the population has increased by over 25%.
"The requested bond is a continuation of our legacy of investment to serve the healthcare needs of our growing community," said Lee Boles, chief executive officer of Hunt Regional Healthcare. "We hold in the highest esteem our community’s trust in our organization to care for them and their families, no matter their healthcare needs, and with their continued support, Hunt Regional Healthcare will be able to add inpatient and emergency care capacity and continue our forward-thinking approach to delivering the most advanced cancer care right here at home."
The $29.3 million bond will finance the following projects at Hunt Regional Medical Center:
- Additional emergency room beds: To alleviate the current strain on the emergency department, which regularly exceeds capacity.
- Replacement of the 17-year-old linear accelerator (LINAC): Used for radiation treatment at the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center, ensuring continued access to advanced cancer care.
- Additional inpatient beds: To accommodate the increasing demand for inpatient services.
- Updates to and expansion of cardiovascular and operating room services: To enhance the hospital's ability to provide comprehensive care.
Dr. Scott Pierce, chair of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "Our community is highly attractive to families, businesses, and retirees, and our population is growing by leaps and bounds," he stated. "The bond will provide essential resources to help us meet the healthcare needs of our region today and into the future."
He also warned, "Without immediate public investment from the bond, our emergency room will continue to exceed capacity on a daily basis as demand for care increases as our region grows, and we run the very real risk of diminishing our ability to provide the state-of-the-art cancer care our community expects and deserves."
The bond election will be held on May 3rd, with early voting taking place from April 22nd to April 29th.
