Public Invited to Information Sessions on Hospital Lease Plan
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation will host a series of informative community meetings about the hospital lease proposal from Tenet Healthcare, the current Desert Regional Medical Center operator. The District will present important facts about the proposed agreement during the meetings, allowing for public input before the final deal comes to voters in the 2024 election.
The public is invited to attend the following meetings:
Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
84245 Indio Springs Parkway,
Indio, CA 92203
Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m.
UCR Auditorium, Bldg. B
75080 Frank Sinatra Dr,
Palm Desert, CA 92211
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board voted at its meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 to pursue the hospital lease option from Tenet Health, following several years of negotiations and community input sessions. The agreement extends Tenet’s current lease from 2027 to 2057, funds critical seismic upgrades and supports new healthcare services for the community.
“Our goal is always to put the community’s healthcare needs first,” Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO Chris Christensen said. “These community meetings enable us to sit down with residents and hear their thoughts and opinions, as well as present how this proposal will allow us to carry out our mission.”
Meeting attendees will learn more about Tenet’s plan to pay the District approximately $650 million — the full fair market value of Desert Regional Medical Center. Presentations will cover the payment schedule, including the first $100 million payment in 2027 and annual installments of more than $20 million over 20 years.
The deal includes a transfer of ownership of the hospital to Tenet at the end of the lease with a final payment of $100 million. Through this process, Tenet will ensure seismic compliance of the hospital, currently required by state law to be completed by 2030. Tenet has leased the Palm Springs hospital from the District since 1997.
The community meetings will highlight the expansive health accessibility benefits of this deal, including how it provides millions of dollars to address pressing needs in local primary, specialty and behavioral health. Quality medical care will be more available region-wide, supporting whole-body wellness in the Coachella Valley.
To learn more, visit 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.