Mendocino Coast’s only hospital faces uncertain future after Adventist Health asks for lease changes

Adventist Health has informed the Mendocino Coast Health Care District of its desire to restructure the agreement under which the health care provider leases its critical care hospital in Fort Bragg, the only hospital stretching along the 131-mile-long Mendocino Coast. 

In a letter sent to Paul Garza last week, the district’s board chair, Adventist Health network president Eric Stevens proposed a 60-day negotiation period beginning immediately, under a provision that allows the lease to be restructured. The letter stated that if the district did not accept the proposal, Adventist Health would exercise its right to terminate the lease on June 30, 2025.