Three hospital systems have offered bids to merge with Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., following the hospital's decision to reaccept bids after a group alleged violations of the state's Sunshine Law in its deal with Orlando-based Florida Hospital, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
The hospital board will hear presentations from Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates, Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Halifax Health and Florida Hospital parent Adventist Health.
Bert Fish merged with Florida Hospital in July. Following, the Bert Fish Foundation sued alleging violation of the state's Sunshine Law. The Sunshine Law establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities.
After the suit, Bert Fish decided to re-hold meetings surrounding the merger. The first public meeting was held late last month, and the board decided to reopen the bidding process.
The board will begin hearing the presentations on Oct. 26, but no deadline for a decision has been set. In the meantime, Adventist will continue to manage Bert Fish, according to the report.
Read the Orlando Sentinel report on Bert Fish.
Read more coverage on Bert Fish Medical Center:
- Hospital Foundation Sues to Stop Efforts to Move Forward Bert Fish, Florida Hospital Merger
- Florida's Bert Fish Medical Center Reapproves Plan to Move Forward With Affiliation
- Florida's Bert Fish Medical Center to Redo Merger Meetings Following Lawsuit
The hospital board will hear presentations from Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates, Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Halifax Health and Florida Hospital parent Adventist Health.
Bert Fish merged with Florida Hospital in July. Following, the Bert Fish Foundation sued alleging violation of the state's Sunshine Law. The Sunshine Law establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities.
After the suit, Bert Fish decided to re-hold meetings surrounding the merger. The first public meeting was held late last month, and the board decided to reopen the bidding process.
The board will begin hearing the presentations on Oct. 26, but no deadline for a decision has been set. In the meantime, Adventist will continue to manage Bert Fish, according to the report.
Read the Orlando Sentinel report on Bert Fish.
Read more coverage on Bert Fish Medical Center:
- Hospital Foundation Sues to Stop Efforts to Move Forward Bert Fish, Florida Hospital Merger
- Florida's Bert Fish Medical Center Reapproves Plan to Move Forward With Affiliation
- Florida's Bert Fish Medical Center to Redo Merger Meetings Following Lawsuit