Sharp and Tri-City say they’re keeping their distance until voter approval

For several weeks, motorists eastbound on state Route 78 have been able to see both Tri-City Medical Center and a new billboard from Sharp HealthCare declaring the medical provider’s presence “from Vista to Chula Vista.” Westbound travelers see a similar message, this one documenting Sharp’s reach from “Oceanside to Otay Mesa” just before they reach Interstate 5.

That’s more than 100,000 vehicles per day, according to Caltrans estimates, receiving the message of Sharp’s presence in coastal North County. This messaging appeared as the county’s largest medical provider pursues a 30-year lease of Tri-City’s assets and liabilities, a deal that would cause the facility to begin operating as “Sharp Tri-City Medical Center.” But some might wonder if those billboards signal that Sharp is now running the Oceanside hospital.

Given that Tri-City’s governing board approved the deal in December after a half-dozen community meetings, including widespread media coverage, it would be easy to make such a logical connection, even though neither billboard mentions Tri-City in any way.

A message announcing that Sharp’s reach spans...