The El Centro City Council has approved the transfer of El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) to the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD).

After more than three years of negotiations, the transfer was unanimously approved at a special city council meeting Tuesday. The deal is expected to be finalized Thursday, October 15. 

As part of the agreement, IVHD will assume certain financial obligations associated with ECRMC, including obligations related to the hospitals existing financing arrangements. The agreement marks the transition of ECRMC, a city owned hospital, to a regional healthcare district. The process began with the passage of Assembly Bill 918 in October 2023. The bill established the Imperial Valley Healthcare District. El Centro Mayor Michael Crankshaw said, "This is a significant moment in the history of El Centro and healthcare throughout the Imperial Valley. Today's unanimous decision brings us one step closer to completing this important transition".