Voters in El Paso County will have the chance to vote on the $396.6 million bond proposal for University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) on Nov. 5.
On Aug. 12th, the El Paso County Commissioners voted unanimously to have the bond initiative placed on the November ballot. If approved by the voters, the funds will be used to expand healthcare services in the El Paso community.
The UMC bond plan focuses on the following:
- Improvements to the UMC campus: Approximately one-third of bond funds will be used to help UMC meet capacity needs and add new technology to imaging and operating room facilities.
- Increase healthcare access points: New clinics and urgent care centers will make preventative and acute care more accessible for patients across the County.
- Build the first Comprehensive Cancer Center in El Paso: The first of its kind in the region, a proposed comprehensive cancer center will allow patients to seek treatment closer to home and family.
- Establish a Burn Center: UMC proposes to increase care capability by adding facilities to provide for local treatment of severe burn cases, eliminating the need for transfers to burn centers in Lubbock and other parts of the state.
Key facts about El Paso area growth
- El Paso is now the 6th largest city in Texas and 22nd largest in the U.S.
- From 2000 to 2023, El Paso County’s population increased by nearly 30% to over 800,000, according to population statistics from 2023.
- In light of the regional growth and demographic changes, UMC has identified gaps in the level of healthcare capabilities available for a community of our size.
Impact on healthcare created by population growth
Enhancing these aspects of the healthcare infrastructure will facilitate more timely and comprehensive care for residents as well as provide access to healthcare for all members of the community.
This surge growth has highlighted a need for improved access to primary and secondary care, more hospital beds, and shorter patient wait times.
UMC’s current capacity presents opportunities for expansion, with the potential to increase the number of specialty facilities such a clinic focused on the care of older adults, cancer treatment, care for victims of serious burns, outpatient surgery, and rehabilitation.
Key dates for the bond vote
- Voter registration deadline is Oct. 7.
- Early voting runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1.
- Election Day is Nov. 5.
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