10/27/2024
Honored to have just received the endorsement from The Desert Sun.
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation is in a high-stakes moment. Measure AA – which asks voters to decide whether to approve or reject Tenet Health's new 30-year lease for Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs – is on the ballot, as are four open seats on the district’s board.
Three candidates are vying for the Zone 1 seat, which includes most of Palm Springs, a small portion of Cathedral City, almost all of Rancho Mirage and a small part of Palm Desert: Greg Rodriguez, Dr. Robert Piecuch and Rick Lykins.
The Desert Sun Editorial Board sat down with all candidates from Zones 1, 2 and 5. Our endorsement goes to Greg Rodriguez, Dr. Daniel Logsdon and Arthur Shorr.
Rodriguez, who lives in Palm Springs and is deputy director of Government Affairs and Community Engagement for Riverside County's Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, brings a strong depth of expertise in health care leadership and a measured demeanor as a leader.
Rodriguez, who made clear he’s been at numerous DHCD meetings as a participant, is clearly invested: he knows the people, he knows the issues and he’s been deeply involved in the Desert Healthcare District for about 10 years. He worked on health care, housing and homeless policy as the district director for Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, and then for Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez.
“We started a behavioral health initiative out of Supervisor Perez's office when he was first appointed, and I actually worked to help transition that over to the health care districts of Coachella Valley behavioral health initiative,” Rodriguez said – an initiative that increased awareness and provider ability within the valley.
He supports Measure AA, though he does have “some major concerns” with the non-compete clause.
“I don't believe the final product on the non-compete is the best, but it's much better than the original one,” Rodriguez said. “The agreement does allow the district to increase access to health care services with other institutions, just not establish a new acute care hospital.”
What sold Rodriguez on the deal was when the district commissioned a study on what it would cost for the district to actually operate Desert Regional. Not only can the district not afford to run the hospital, Rodriguez said, the retrofit mandate is another expense – one that would have to be paid for with bonds or taxpayer dollars – neither of which he believes is a good approach.
“I think the influx of the $600 million can be leveraged with other resources, both state and county, to increase access to both physical and behavioral health care. Additionally, there's dollars set aside for improvements for JFK Hospital in Indio, much needed improvements in the emergency area, as well as Tenet taking care of the retrofit.”
Should Measure AA pass, Rodriguez stressed the importance of what the care plans and capacity issues will be for Desert Regional while the retrofit and construction is taking place.
The Desert Sun's Editorial Board pick for Desert Healthcare District board
