The Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners recently voted unanimously that it is in the best interest of the Glades community for the Health Care District to retain ownership and operation of Lakeside Medical Center, Palm Beach County’s only public hospital. The vote followed a presentation made by an independent, third-party evaluation firm, Health Management Associates, which found that the estimated fair market financial value of the hospital is zero without Health Care District support.
The financial evaluation and public hearing are requirements under House Bill 711, an amendment to Florida Statute 155.40. The bill, which was signed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott in April 2012, mandates all public hospitals in Florida to commence a one-time evaluation of the benefits of selling or leasing the hospital. This evaluation must include a financial valuation and an operating comparison with similarly situated hospitals. The data in the consultants’ report showed that under Health Care District ownership and operation, Lakeside Medical Center compares favorably with other hospitals in terms of costs and quality of care.
More than 40 people attended the public hearing at the hospital, many of them local public officials and key community leaders. Eleven attendees provided public comment and all spoke in favor of the hospital remaining a public entity under the Health Care District.
