Statement on Lease Negotiation Outcomes

In October 2024, the Mendocino Coast Health Care District and Adventist Health began a process initiated by Adventist Health, which ulitmately successfully renegotiated the terms of their lease agreement. This was a routine, legally authorized process, and no changes were made to hospital operations or patient services as a result.

The District’s goal was simple: protect local healthcare access. By maintaining the lease, the District preserved the continued presence of an essential healthcare provider in our rural community. The negotiation kept Adventist Health committed to operating the Mendocino Coast hospital and ensured that residents would not experience disruption in emergency, outpatient, or inpatient care.

Like any negotiation, this one required compromise from both sides. Some proposals discussed during the process — such as the transfer of the Hospice Thrift Store — were evaluated and ultimately declined by the District. The District Board determined that managing a retail operation was outside its core mission, which remains focused on maintaining the hospital facility and supporting patient access to care under the lease.

While the negotiation may have involved moments of disagreement or distraction, the outcome reflects a successful public-private collaboration. The District acted decisively and in the community’s interest. Our residents deserve stability in their healthcare system, and that’s exactly what this agreement delivered: a reaffirmed partnership with Adventist Health to operate our Coast Hospital, without service cuts, closures, or interruptions.