HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD LOOKING AT PURSUING HOSPITAL AFFILIATION

The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board met in regular session last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says the board is looking at the process for affiliating, letting an outside organization in, to run the financially troubled hospital…
At last night’s Board meeting of the Hi-Desert Medical Center, Directors heard results of a survey on likely approval of a property tax needed to maintain the current level of care. The survey predicted support far short of the two-thirds vote required to pass a tax measure. With such a poor outcome predicted for a tax measure, the remaining alternative is for the district to seek affiliation with a larger medical entity in order to remain viable. Affiliation would both provide needed capital and assist the district to recruit specialists. With that in mind, Directors authorized management to look into hiring an outside consultant to guide the district through the process of affiliation with another healthcare entity. In his remarks, CEO Bob Tyk pointed out that such affiliations are an increasing national trend.