May 19, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senate hears bill to save Williams Health Care Center

Grants a one-time exception for district to hold special election

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) – The Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee will hear a bill Wednesday to preserve the Williams Health Care Center in Northern Arizona, permitting them to hold a June 20 special election. Without this correction and subsequent special election, the clinic would be unable to provide essential community health services such as urgent care, radiology, and outpatient physical therapy.

“This bill has no impact to the state’s general fund, does not create a tax increase, and would allow the hospital to continue providing services essential to the community,” says Sen. Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, the bill’s sponsor. “Patients would have to drive 35 to 75 miles to reach the next primary care facilities in Flagstaff, Prescott, and Kingman if the clinic closed. This facility is truly vital to the community.”

In 2006, the Legislature changed requirements for school districts to hold override and bond elections. Although the hospital district did not meet the required deadline, SB1155 allows the district to hold a special election on tax renewal authorization.

Benson Hospital, in Southern Arizona, will also benefit from the passage of this bill.

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For more information, contact:

Sarah Dodge, Communication Coordinator

Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus Office: (602) 926-3796, e-mail: sdodge@azleg.gov