Key West City Commissioner Sam Kaufman demanded for-profit Lower Keys Medical Center in Stock Island, Fla., revert to public ownership and requested the city attorney launch an investigation into the medical center, reports Florida Keys News.
The commissioner released the proposal in advance of a city forum set Aug. 16 to address mounting allegations of aggressive billing practices and poor quality services at the medical center. The hospital is owned by Community Health Systems in Franklin, Tenn.
"The team at Lower Keys is engaged in a thorough and deliberate effort to address concerns that have been raised in our community," LKMC director of communications Rebecca Ayer told Florida Key News. "It is disappointing to learn of [Kaufman's] resolution as we work to make positive changes at the hospital."