Yes On AA - Protect Desert Care

Measure AA renews the Desert Regional Medical Center lease, ensuring lifesaving care at Desert Regional is not disrupted and provides nearly $650 million in lease payments from the hospital operator - not the taxpayers - to the local government to continue programs expanding access to healthcare. YES on AA guarantees continued professional operation and upkeep of the hospital - at no cost to taxpayers.

Problem

If the DRMC lease expires in 2027, the District will be forced to take over hospital operations. The costs of operating the hospital and required upgrades are estimated to be over $400M — which the District cannot afford. This could lead to:

  • Increased taxes for residents to cover costs
  • Disruption of lifesaving services at DRMC and Desert Care Network
  • Loss of funding for healthcare services/non-profits in Coachella Valley
Yes on Measure AA

Solution

Yes on Measure AA

  • Guarantees continued professional operation of Desert Regional, protecting lifesaving care at the hospital without disruptions
  • Provides nearly $650M to the District in lease payments from the operator — critical funds to continue programs expanding access to healthcare throughout the Coachella Valley
  • Makes the hospital operator responsible for required upgrades and renovations to Desert Regional, at no cost to taxpayers
Yes on Measure AA

Measure AA will:

Yes on Measure AA

Protect patient care and services

Yes on Measure AA

Guarantee continued professional management of Desert Regional

Yes on Measure AA

Continue critical investment in the hospital and funding for our community

Yes on Measure AA

Avoid higher taxes from a government-run hospital

Get The Facts

Our Supporters

We are a coalition of Doctors, Nurses, Patients, Non-Profits
and Community Leaders throughout Coachella Valley supporting Yes on AA

  • About Families
  • DAP Health
  • Desert Cancer Foundation
  • Desert Doctors
  • Friday Night Lights
  • Hanson House Foundation
  • Desert Care Network
  • Desert Trauma Surgeons
  • Alzheimers Coachella Valley
  • Martha's Village & Kitchen
  • Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce
  • League of United Latin American Citizens
  • Bayanihan Desert
  • Greater Coachella Valley Chamber PAC
  • Desert Sun
*Partial List
Our Supporters

Our Supporters are Saying

  • I remember 27 years ago when the Desert Healthcare District Board ran Desert Regional. It almost closed. I’m voting Yes on Measure AA to make sure our hospital stays open!

    Bob Marra

    Former Head of Desert Healthcare District Foundation
  • Alzheimer’s patients need more access to care and shorter wait times. Yes on Measure AA will bring critical funding to our community to help shorten wait times for appointments and expand services through our community - while getting organizations like mine the funding we need to continue serving patients. Vote YES!

    Lisa Ford

    Alzheimers Coachella Valley
  • Without Desert Regional, hundreds of thousands of patients could lose access to healthcare they depend on. This measure saves our hospital, and protects patients throughout Coachella Valley. Join me in voting YES to protect our patients.

    Joel Trambley

    Doctor of Internal Medicine, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • Every year, my colleagues and I treat over 200,000 patients at Desert Regional. Please, join me and other doctors in voting YES on AA to protect Coachella Valley’s high quality healthcare.

    Eric Presser

    Thoracic Surgeon, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • More hospitals in California close each year, and without Measure AA, Desert Regional could be next. Please, vote YES to ensure Desert Regional stays open and can continue to care for Coachella Valley patients for years to come.

    Megan Barajas

    Regional Vice President, Hospital Association of Southern California
  • We never know when a serious unexpected medical situation will come up. In my case, the staff at Desert Regional was there for me when I needed them most. Our community cannot risk losing access to the lifesaving care at Desert Regional. Please, vote YES on AA.

    Fred Bell

    Director, Palm Springs Air Museum
  • Desert Regional is more than just a hospital - it’s an important asset to our community. I’m voting YES on AA so that Desert Regional can continue taking care of patients, and supporting the Coachella Valley into the future.

    John Maldonado

    Commissioner, FNL Youth Football
  • When I had my twins at Desert Regional, the staff was compassionate and the care I received was second to none. I’m voting YES on AA because Coachella Valley deserves high-quality healthcare!

    Michelle Newman

    CSU San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus
  • At Desert Regional's Comprehensive Cancer Center, we provide world-class, lifesaving care to patients in the Valley. Yes on AA ensures Desert Regional’s operator can continue improving our hospital, so that we can keep saving lives. That’s why I’m voting Yes.

    Amir Lavaf

    Radiation Oncologist, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • When I was getting my nursing Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees, as well as my Nurse Practitioner License, Desert Regional helped pay my tuition. Yes on AA ensures programs like this can continue so that we can grow our team and take better care of patients. Vote Yes!

    Denise Perez

    Cardiac Nurse Practitioner, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • Measure AA provides millions of dollars to ensure that organizations like the Family YMCA can continue taking care of children in the Valley and to ensure continued access to healthcare at Desert Regional. That’s why I’m voting YES!

    Paula Simonds

    Executive Director, Family YMCA of the Desert
  • My brother and I were born at Desert Regional at different times but we were both NICU babies. My brother was born 4 1/2 months and because of their care and help, my brother lived. As for my story, I was born two months early and my mother had complications that caused her to stay in the hospital for three months. They helped my family back to health and I am very grateful. Bless this hospital.

    Heaven Rodriguez

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • As a former employee and patient, I believe DRMC provides such vital support for our big community in the Palm Springs region. Without it, many patients' lives will be compromised and potentially die during transportation until they reach to another level 1 trauma center which is 1.5 hrs drive in the freeway I-10 and that’s without traffic. Give our people hope that they’re well served and supported with a great hospital like it has been for the past 30 years. Please consider keeping their lease and continue giving great support and help to our community, we need them.

    Johana Perez-Pereira

    Nurse & Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • My Son was born at DRMC I was only 28weeks when I went in for emergency c section. This NICU saved his life, he weighed 2lbs 5oz was there for almost 2 months.

    Rosie Gomez

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • Without this measure, hundreds of thousands will lose the healthcare that they depend on.

    Shavaughn Evaro

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • Because Desert Regional is the only hospital out here that accepts IEHP, this is where my kids were born. Please think of the families that truly need this hospital.

    Michelle Roberts

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • A few months ago, I knew I had to go to the ER for a racing heart. This had been an ongoing problem for about three years but no medical professionals seemed very concerned about. This would be my first time at Desert Regional and to my surprise, I was ushered through registration and seen by a doctor within 20 minutes. Everyone was so kind and the doctor identified the problem and set in motion a plan to be seen by a cardiologist within the next few days. I was home again within an hour and a half. I am so grateful for the attention and care I received. Thank you!! YES!!

    Joanna Rivera Stark

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center
  • The Doctors at Desert Regional saved my life. Thank you so much for the fantastic doctors and nurses at Desert Regional Hospital. You were all so caring and kind.

    Angela Virgo

    Former Patient, Desert Regional Medical Center

*titles included for identification purposes only

MEET OUR COALITION

We are a coalition of large and small Oregon businesses, organizations, taxpayers, consumers, and community leaders from across the state who are coming together to oppose IP 17.

*Partial list

Join Our Coalition

In supporting Measure AA

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