San Francisco Airport approves $1.7M to Dignity Health for medical clinic operations

San Francisco County officials have approved significant modifications to contracts affecting the San Francisco Airport, including an increase in funding for the airport's medical clinic and an extension of the lease for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

During a recent government meeting, the board unanimously approved a $1.7 million increase to the contract with Dignity Health, which operates the airport's medical clinic. This adjustment raises the total contract amount to $12.7 million, aimed at addressing lower-than-expected patient volumes and revenue. The clinic, a vital resource since the 1970s, provides essential services such as urgent care and occupational health programs. Despite the funding boost, the contract's term remains unchanged, set to expire on June 30, 2024.

Kathy Weidner, Chief External Affairs Officer for San Francisco Airport, highlighted that the clinic's operational costs are primarily funded through the airport's operating fund, with reimbursements based on actual patient revenues. The clinic has seen a decline in visits, attributed to reduced foot traffic and changes in occupational health programs.

In a related decision, the board also approved a two-year extension of the lease for the DEA's office at the airport, increasing the annual rent from approximately $570,000 to $620,000. This lease modification is expected to generate around $1.24 million over the extended term, which now runs through September 2025.

Public comments during the meeting included appreciation for the clinic's founding physician and suggestions for clarifying the retroactive nature of the DEA lease amendment. The board's decisions reflect ongoing efforts to ensure essential health services and law enforcement presence at the airport, even as operational challenges persist.