UC San Diego Health and Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health received approval on Oct. 14 from the Regents of the University of California and the Palomar Health District board of directors to form a joint powers authority.
“These initial approvals represent a critical next step towards the finalization of the JPA, a legal entity that establishes a clear road map for the mutually beneficial management, operation and expansion of healthcare services for all Palomar Health facilities,” an Oct. 14 news release said.
The two parties will work to ensure North San Diego patients receive care close to home while accessing clinical services backed by medical and surgical specialists. Some of the initial partnership plans include the development of a comprehensive cancer center and two shelled floors for destination healthcare services at Palomar Medical Center Escondido.
In mid-March, Palomar Health borrowed $20 million from UC San Diego Health to continue providing patient care. In July, UC San Diego Health and Palomar Health entered into exclusive talks to create the JPA.
UC San Diego Health and Palomar Health plan to finalize the JPA at the end of October; it will require state approval through the office of health care affordability, the release said.
