Doing it all in the public eye: a comparative analysis of California district hospital affiliations

California contains 74 hospital districts, which are local governmental entities with publicly elected boards. Historically, they have been responsible for operating hospitals in remote areas to provide for the health care needs of their communities. Because the health care market has become increasingly competitive and because some of these once rural areas have grown into large cities, these districts are seeking partners for their hospitals in hopes of preserving their long-term financial viability. The terms reached in these transactions are discussed in the article.