Randy Smart, MD, executive director of the Mark Twain Health Care District, indicated during a meeting Monday evening San Andreas, Calif.-based Mark Twain Medical Center should negotiate another management agreement with its current hospital operator, according to The Union Democrat.
Representatives from the Mark Twain Health Care District and Dignity Health, which currently operates the hospital, were in attendance at Monday's meeting, where officials made the details of the San Francisco-based health system's proposal to operate MTMC public for the first time.
Dr. Smart also discussed what it would take for the healthcare district to run the medical center and its five associated clinics independently. He said he met with several consultants during a two-year time period who "painted a dark picture" about the district's ability to run the hospital, the report states. Costs associated with operating the hospital and clinics could add up to $69 million, Dr. Smart said during the discussion.
MTMC's current lease with Dignity expires Dec. 31, 2019, and the hospital is unable to renew the lease under state law. The healthcare district has the option to operate the hospital independently, sell the facility or finalize a lease agreement with an interested party. Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health and Dignity expressed interest in leasing the facility. However, Adventist withdrew its bid earlier this month.
Representatives from Dignity and the healthcare district will meet with residents during a second information session Wednesday, Dr. Smart told The Union Democrat.
Officials reportedly expect to issue a decision later this month or early next year.