More than a year ago, the Lee Health Board of Directors began evaluating a future for the health system to safeguard its long-term strength, ensure local control and protect its safety-net mission—offering high-quality healthcare to everyone in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. A recent vote by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners approving the Mission Agreement, following the vote by the Lee Health Board of Directors approving the same, marked the final step in the approval process. The votes allow for the conversion of the health system from a public/special district of government to a community-focused nonprofit and clearing the path for Lee Health to finalize the conversion through the complete transfer of assets and liabilities of Lee Health to the successor community-focused nonprofit entity, Lee Health System, Inc.
Changes to Lee Health’s Enabling Act in 2023 allowed the Board of Directors to evaluate if conversion to a community-focused nonprofit was in the best interest of the residents of Lee County. Following the course prescribed by the legislation, the Board of Directors commissioned an independent study, engaged expert, third-party counsel, collaborated with federal, state and local governments and held multiple Board work sessions, community town halls and public workshop meetings.
“We appreciate the important work done by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in developing and approving the Mission Agreement,” Lee Health Board Chairperson Donna Clarke said. “With broad community engagement, Lee Health is now poised to complete the process of becoming a community-focused nonprofit. Providing quality healthcare to everyone in our community is our fundamental responsibility and we are committed to carrying that mission forward.”
Leaders at Lee Health remain steadfast in their commitment to maintaining Lee Health’s safety-net mission, and a Mission Agreement between the Lee Health Board of Directors and the Lee County Board of County Commissioners creates a legally binding document to ensure the residents of Lee County benefit from those services in perpetuity.
