FAQ | Vote Yes on Q

Measure Q

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Measure Q?

Mountains Community Health, formerly known as Mountains Community Hospital, has provided 75 years of essential healthcare and emergency services to the community. The hospital was built in 1951 and is outdated, failing to meet current state health, safety, disability access, and seismic standards. As a designated Critical Access Hospital, it provides the only emergency department within 45 minutes for many residents and visitors. The Board of Directors voted to place a bond measure, Measure Q, on the November 2026 ballot to assist in repayment of a USDA loan and help bridge the funding gap for needed hospital improvements, including an emergency room expansion.

What is the current status of Mountains Community Health?

Mountains Community Health has provided 75 years of essential healthcare and emergency services to the community.
It is a public district hospital owned by the community, not a large corporation; profits are reinvested locally.
The hospital was built in 1951 and does not meet current state health, safety, disability access, or seismic standards.
Emergency room visits have increased by 35% since 2014 and are expected to continue to grow.
The current emergency room is outdated, has inadequate waiting room and patient spaces, lacks adequate space to serve trauma patients, and does not meet today’s health, safety, disability access, or earthquake safety standards.
Some sections of the hospital do not have air conditioning.
There are currently only 20 beds available in the Skilled Nursing Facility, and there is a long waiting list for residents who need long-term care close to home.
The current Hospital makes it difficult to attract doctors, specialists, nurses, and other medical professionals; expanding and modernizing the facility would help attract high-quality healthcare providers and support expanded outpatient services.

What specific projects would Measure Q funds cover?

Measure Q would help Mountains Community Health with high-priority repairs, upgrades, and service expansions, including:

Disaster Readiness: Upgrading the hospital to remain fully functional during natural disasters, even if cut off from external utilities
Emergency Room Expansion: Building a new emergency room and inpatient care unit for better patient privacy and modern medical care
Modern Technology: Building a new hospital wing with adequate electrical and plumbing to support advanced medical equipment and future technologies
Legal Compliance: Retrofitting the 1951 building to meet mandatory earthquake safety and disability access standards to prevent legally required closure
Skilled Nursing and Outpatient Care: Expanding our skilled nursing facility and outpatient care services to ensure local residents who need long-term care can stay close to home

What is the estimated cost to homeowners?

Measure Q would cost property owners no more than $25 per $100,000 of assessed value, not market value, annually for as long as bonds are outstanding. The typical homeowner would pay less than $80 per year.

How would the USDA loan relate to Measure Q?

Mountains Community Health has secured a USDA loan that would help pay for a portion of needed hospital upgrades, including an emergency room expansion. The USDA loan would require repayment over several years and would not cover all needed updates, so Measure Q could assist with repayment and help bridge the remaining funding gap.

How do we know the money will be spent properly?

Independent citizens’ oversight would help ensure funds are spent as voters intended.
Annual public disclosure and independent audits would keep the community informed about how funds are spent.
All funds would stay in the community to improve the Hospital and, by law, could not be taken by the County or State or used for other purposes.

Why is local emergency care especially important in the San Bernardino Mountains?

Emergency Care Access: Mountains Community Health is the only emergency department within 45 minutes for many residents and visitors, and emergency room visits have increased by 35% since 2014.
Disaster Isolation: The community can be cut off from outside help during major fires, earthquakes, severe storms, and other natural disasters.
Continuity of Care: A full-service local hospital helps ensure residents can receive the care they need close to home, including during emergencies when travel off the mountain may not be possible.
Long-Term Care: Expanding the Skilled Nursing Facility would help residents who need long-term care remain near their families and community.

Beyond healthcare, what are some possible local impacts?

Mountains Community Health is a public asset owned by local residents. Maintaining and modernizing local emergency and healthcare services helps support community safety, disaster readiness, long-term care access, expanded outpatient care, and the ability for residents and visitors to receive care close to home. A modern hospital with advanced medical technology may also help attract high-quality doctors, nurses, medical specialists, and other healthcare professionals to serve the community.

Do visitors pay into this as well?

Yes, tourists and out-of-town property owners contribute to the funding through the following ways:

Property Taxes on Local Properties: Property owners within the District would contribute based on assessed value, not market value, for as long as bonds are outstanding.
Direct Hospital Use: Mountains Community Health provides healthcare and emergency medical services to both residents and visitors to the San Bernardino Mountains.

Reinvested Profits: As a public district hospital, all profits generated—including those from services provided to visitors—are reinvested locally to support healthcare for the community.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is generally based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year. Market value, on the other hand, is based on market conditions and tends to grow at a much faster rate. Thus, the assessed value is usually much lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it could be purchased for today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based.

When would Measure Q appear on the ballot?

The Mountains Community Hospital Board has placed Measure Q on the November 2026 ballot.

What level of support is required to pass Measure Q?

At least 55% of those voters who cast a ballot on Measure Q must vote "Yes" on Measure Q to pass it.

Are senior exemptions available?

No. State law does not allow for exemptions to be applied to bond measures. However, because the cost of a bond measure is based on the original purchase price of a home, residents who have lived in their homes a long time have the lowest assessed values and will pay the least toward the cost of a bond measure.

How can I get involved or learn more about Measure Q?

Our campaign is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the quality of our local healthcare. Some ways you can help pass Measure Q include donating to the campaign, displaying a YES on Q lawn sign at your home, and adding your name to our list of Measure Q supporters!