SAN JOSE — Nearly five months after Santa Clara County revealed its plans to purchase Regional Medical Center following HCA Healthcare’s decision to downgrade the trauma center, an agreement has been reached.
The county will take over operations of the 258-bed East San Jose hospital starting April 1, making it the fourth hospital in the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare System — the second-largest county-owned health and hospital system in the state.
The purchase bookends a nearly yearlong saga that sent shockwaves through the East Side as residents worried about their proximity to a trauma center and county officials raised concerns about the impact on the local healthcare system.
Santa Clara County is purchasing the hospital for $150 million — less than the $175 million previously agreed-upon price.
In a news release, County Executive James Williams said that “restorying RMC’s previous levels of care, including lifesaving trauma services and incorporating it into the county’s excellent healthcare system will improve care for those living in East San Jose and our broader community.
“Under the leadership of our Board of Supervisors, this purchase allows us to restore critical care where it is needed most, serve those in need, maintain quality jobs for the dedicated RMC staff and avoid significant costs and impacts the county would otherwise incur by having to expand facilities and staffing at our other hospitals,” Williams said.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
