Officials of Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center are not holding their tongues as Florida's legislature discusses eliminating the state's certificate of need laws, which require hospitals to demonstrate need in the community before building new facilities or expanding service lines, reports the Palm Beach Post.
The hospital recently published an open letter in The Palm Beach Post and other outlets in response to Republican lawmakers' proposal to scrap CON laws. The proposed bill, SB 676, is currently making its way through the committee stage. Gov. Rick Scott, R, has backed the proposal.
"They believe by deregulating healthcare, costs would be reduced and quality would be improved. We disagree," the letter, signed by Jupiter Medical Center President and CEO John Couris and hospital board members, states.
While he isn't opposed to a free market, Mr. Couris told The Post that he doesn't believe more competition will inevitably lead to higher-quality and less expensive care.
"We are not widget makers in the healthcare industry," he said, according to the report. "We are not flipping hamburgers, we are not selling pizza. We are taking care of the most important single asset of this state and that is its people."
Mr. Couris said South Florida hospitals already face competition, especially on heart surgery and maternity care.
"South Florida is a hyper-competitive environment," he said, according to the report. "We compete all the time, but as a leader in healthcare, I have an obligation greater than just competing. I have an obligation to care for the health and wellness of this community."