District History

Following World War II, a shortage of hospital beds prompted the California legislature to establish Special Healthcare Districts to meet the growing population and extend services into rural areas. Voters authorized property tax assessments to fund community hospitals and provide much-needed healthcare services.

Desert Healthcare District was created in 1948 to serve residents within a 457 square-mile area of the Coachella Valley. The District includes Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Thousand Palms, Rancho Mirage, Mountain Center, San Gorgonio and the area of Palm Desert west of Cook Street.  (see District boundaries)

Once established, the Board then built and operated Desert Hospital, now known as Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC).

In 1986, the District Board leased hospital operations to an established medical facility provider and for the next decade, District revenues ran the hospital. In 1997, Directors voted to lease DRMC to Tenet Health Systems for 30 years, enabling the hospital to become part of a nationwide healthcare company.

Today, Tenet runs the hospital while the District retains ownership of the lease as well other assets including Las Palmas Medical Plaza.

Through a system implemented in 1998, much of the impact for District residents today results from programs and grants approved by the Board. More than $3 million/year is allocated for projects large and small improving the health of District residents.

District funds helped construct the Health Science Building at CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, the fitness track in Cathedral City and Wellness Park in Palm Springs. Major initiatives are underway to reduce childhood obesity, support Healthy People 2010 and eliminate the shortage of healthcare workers in our Valley.