The Lower Florida Keys Hospital District board has requested Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems add Lower Keys Medical Center to its growing portfolio of hospital divestures, reports FlKeysNews.
In a letter submitted Dec. 15, board chairman John Padget asked CHS CEO Wayne Smith if the hospital operator would consider breaking its 30-year lease of the Stock Island, Fla.-based hospital before its contract expires in 2030.
CHS acquired LKMC in 2013 as part of a multibillion dollar deal with Health Management Associates.
"In light of CHS' recent divestiture of some of its hospital portfolio, especially those acquired from HMA, would CHS consider an early termination of the lease?" Mr. Padget wrote, according to the article.
LKMC faced criticism from patients and municipal leaders over fraudulent billing practices and poor-quality care last year. Key West City Commissioner Sam Kaufman and other officials have demanded the hospital revert to public ownership to address the mounting allegations.
Mr. Padget told FlKeysNews CHS had not responded to the board's request as of Jan. 3.