Thursday, March 13, 2008

Could Wesley Chapel Get TWO Hospitals?

Florida is one of over 35 states that require a “Certificate of Need” which is an approval process at the state level for the construction of new hospitals, with the intent of keeping healthcare costs down by reducing the overbuilding of hospitals.

Last June the University Community Hospital / Adventist Health System proposed Wesley Chapel hospital was granted a Certificate of Need while competing Baycare was denied its Certificate of Need. That denial has been contested and I believe we are supposed to hear the response this month.

Governor Crist’s 2008 budget (recommendation) called for the elimination of the Certificate of Need process. While I am not sure where that stands with the state legislature, if passed it may mean that the University Community Hospital / Adventist Health System hospital planned for Wiregrass AND competing Baycare could both build hospitals in Wesley Chapel.

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