OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Fowler WHite Boggs, P.A.LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM
NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 155.40(5)(e)1., FLORIDA STATUTES
On December 6, 2012, the Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors held a public hearing and considered information including, but not limited to an independent evaluation of the health system’s fair market value, operating comparison, and public comments regarding the implementation of Section 155.40, Florida Statutes, as amended by Chapter 2012-66, Laws of Florida, relating to the evaluation of the possible benefits to persons residing in Lee County from the sale or lease of hospital facilities. After such consideration, the Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors made the following findings:
Lee Memorial Health System is the largest public (governmental) health care system in the State of Florida and the Nation, which operates without direct tax support or taxing power.
Lee Memorial Health System provides a unique mix of safety net services to those in need in Southwest Florida, such as high risk obstetrics services, Level II trauma services, PPEC Medical Day program for special needs children, primary care clinics for low income population and children’s hospital services.
Lee Memorial Health System’s cost of operations compares favorably when compared to not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals.
Lee Memorial Health System has a record of consistently strong financial performance that has enabled significant reinvestment in a broad range of quality health care services and capital improvements for the benefit of the community.
Although it is difficult to find for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals with a similar service mix, Lee Memorial Health System’s operating cost comparative analysis indicates its operating cost per case mix adjusted admission is lower than both for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals.
Lee Memorial Health System is recognized nationally, including by HHS and HealthGrades, for top tier hospital quality outcomes.
Although when looking at CMS Core Measures in isolation there is a difference in the isolated data as compared to not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals, when considering all the factors regarding quality of care, the Lee Memorial Health System hospitals perform favorably, particularly when looking at measureable outcomes.
The Board of Directors, as a part of its governance responsibility, consistently and frequently reviews and considers a broad spectrum of quality indicators.
Considering the totality of quality information and indicators, the health system provides a high level of quality health care to its patients and the community.
It is more beneficial to taxpayers and the affected community for the health care system to be operated by a governmental entity.
There is a net benefit to the community to operate the health care system as a district, rather than to operate as a not-for-profit or for-profit entity and use the proceeds of a sale or lease for the purposes described in Florida Statute §155.40.
