Community Meeting Presents Update on Medical Center Lease Plan
July 30, 2024 - District Staff
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation invites the public to an important community meeting to learn more about the current hospital lease purchase agreement Tenet Health, Desert Regional Medical Center’s operator. Attendees can participate on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. at University of California at Riverside in Palm Desert’s Auditorium, 75080 Frank Sinatra Dr, Palm Desert, CA.
Read the revised lease purchase agreement.
The meeting is one in a series that has offered the public the opportunity to provide input on Tenet Health’s lease/purchase option. The plan extends Tenet’s current lease from 2027 to 2057, brings the hospital into seismic compliance by 2030 and provides millions of dollars to address pressing needs in local primary, specialty and behavioral health. In turn, Tenet pays the District approximately $650 million — the full fair market value of Desert Regional Medical Center. The deal includes a transfer of ownership of the hospital to Tenet at the end of the lease.
“We are grateful to the residents who have taken time to offer their constructive thoughts about this proposal during this process,” Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO Chris Christensen said. “Your feedback is invaluable as we explore the expansive health accessibility benefits of this deal and work to ensure quality medical care is always available in the Coachella Valley.”
For more information, consult the Board meeting agenda at https://www.dhcd.org/ .
About the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare.