What is the role of the Mark Twain Health Care District in our community?

The Mark Twain Health Care District (MTHCD) is a public agency that owns the buildings and grounds of the Mark Twain Medical Center; MTHCD leases the operations of the Medical Center to the Mark Twain Medical Center Corporation, which also operates the five rural health clinics (Family Medical Centers) in Arnold, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, San Andreas, and Valley Springs.

Established by voters in 1946, The Mark Twain Health Care District is dedicated to the health and well-being of the individuals and communities of Calaveras County. The District receives a property tax allocation each year from Calaveras County residents, and provides funding to support health care projects through its partnership with the Medical Center Corporation, healthcare scholarships for residents pursuing education and careers in the medical field, grants to Calaveras County non-profit organizations, health fairs, medical office lease partnerships, telehealth programs, and new clinic construction across the community.

The District’s focus is to provide direct support and education for the health care needs of our communities.

Does the Mark Twain Health Care District run the hospital?

The Mark Twain Medical Center Corporation, not the District, through an agreement with Dignity Health oversees daily hospital operations. The Mark Twain Health Care District is charged with working closely with the Corporation and other partners to develop new programs in support of the hospital and the community.

What is the financial relationship between the District and the Medical Center?

The District retains 50% ownership in all of the Medical Center’s assets. When a management agreement was negotiated in 1989 with Catholic Healthcare West – which later became Dignity Health – the citizens of Calaveras County voted to maintain both ownership and financial interest in the Mark Twain Medical Center. As a result, the Health Care District shares 50% of all profits or losses with Dignity Health. At dissolution of the current lease both partners will get an equal 50% of the net worth of the Medical Center’s asset.

How is the Mark Twain Health Care District overseeing my taxpayer dollars?

The Health Care District Board oversees about $900,000 in public funding through annual tax allocations. In addition, the Board has secured $100,000 in public and private grants and funding opportunities to increase health and well-being opportunities in Calaveras County.

Thanks to the stewardship of the District Board, public and private dollars have made projects such as the new clinic in Valley Springs possible. The Board leveraged a $7 million loan from the USDA to bring that clinic to the community. The Board has also worked with community partners to secure grants and fund a cutting-edge telehealth program to expand treatment for pulmonary medicine, a significant development for our rural region.