The Westside Healthcare District is looking for assistance on potential funding for financial stability according to a June letter.

The letter, presented during last Monday’s board meeting, mentioned the district’s ambulance service background and some of the challenges WSCHD has dealt with in the last couple of years. Some of those obstacles include adjusting to the current economic circumstances, inability to offer a competitive wage for medics to work in a rural area and the need to purchase modern equipment such as new ambulances to accommodate a patients' needs. Additionally, the letter stated that the district is currently funded by ballot measure passed in 1984 that charges $40 per parcel.

According to the letter, one of the ways the district generates revenue is through its transports. WSCHD averages around 130 transports per month and its average revenue is $922 per transport based on annual gross collection rates and transport revenue. The letter mentioned that Medicare and Medicaid insurance makes up 60% of Westside Ambulance’s revenue while both companies pay between 30% to 46% of transport costs.

This has led WSCHD “to budget for closure and start making difficult financial decisions to attempt to keep us afloat.”

At the end of the letter, it mentioned that WSCHD had reached out to county officials and state agencies about possible funding but has not gotten a response. It also urges anyone with suggestions to contact Board President David Varnell.

“If we are unable to secure adequate funding, response times will increase, we will continue to lose loyal personnel and will come to a close,” the letter stated. “We have reached out to numerous county officials and state agencies in hopes to secure funding but have had no luck.”

In recent years, the district had campaigned for two ballot measures to increase its parcel tax to $69 per parcel. In 2022 and 2024, Measure D and Measure A, respectively, didn’t pass after both ballot measures didn’t receive a two-thirds vote.

In March, the district along with an ad hoc committee held a special meeting to discuss possible moves to address its financial situation.

Nicolas Cardella, an attorney at Fresno-based Wagner Jones Helsey, said the district could do an outreach campaign about the situation. He added that it could help raise awareness and be more specific on the issues the district has faced.

“You [could] increase your chances of getting the type of thoughts you want from communities that most likely don’t have that information,” Cardella said.

Further discussion on the topic will happen in a future meeting.

Navtej Hundal is a freelance journalist in Stanislaus County