El Paso voters approved a $396.6 million bond for the University Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso with 65% support on Tuesday. Listed on the ballot as the “El Paso County Hospital District Special Election, Proposition A,” the bond will fund critical expansions and enhancements at UMC, aiming to fill healthcare gaps and meet growing patient needs in the region.
Key Projects Funded by the Bond
- UMC Campus Improvements
One-third of bond funds will be used to enhance UMC’s ability to meet capacity needs and add new technology to imaging and operating room facilities.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center
The first of its kind in the region, UMC will partner in building a comprehensive cancer center that will allow patients to seek treatment closer to home.
- Burn Center Development
El Paso lacks a local burn care program, and patients are often transferred out of the city for specialized care. The bond proposes to increase care capability by adding additional operating rooms, critical care beds, and enhanced burn care units.
- Expansion of Healthcare Access Points
To accommodate the growing population and increasing healthcare demands, the bond would expand access points across the region. This effort is aimed at making preventative and acute care more accessible for patients across the region.
The bond will increase property taxes by approximately $6 per month for an average El Paso homeowner. Funds will strictly cover the construction and equipment costs for the projects, without being used for staff salaries or ongoing operations.
