Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Memorial Health System estimates it will lose $48 million per year if state and federal officials don't reach a deal over future funding for the low-income funding pool, according to News-Press.com.
The low-income funding pool is a program that supplies funds to hospitals that treat a disproportionate number of low-income patients. Negotiations over future funding for the program were put on hold this week. Jim Nathan, president and CEO of Lee Memorial Health System said in an email the loss of money cold seriously impact numerous health system services, according to the report.
Mr. Nathan cited several programs that are important to the community but do not bring in enough revenue to pay for themselves, including the trauma center, the comprehensive care provided by the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, the creation of a new family medicine residency program and the opening of three outpatient clinics that treat patients regardless of their ability to pay.
"Failure to reach an agreement on a new model to provide funding for these vital programs is not an option," Mr. Nathan said in his email.