Hilton Head (S.C.) Hospital and Savannah, Ga.-based St. Joseph's/Candler Health System have agreed to drop issues before the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control dealing with outpatient facilities in Bluffton, S.C., according to a Bluffton Today report.
Earlier this year, St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort (S.C.) Memorial Hospital opposed Hilton Head Hospital's request for a certificate of need for a new outpatient center in Bluffton. Both St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort Memorial operate outpatient centers in Bluffton and said patient demand was insufficient to build another facility.
The state's Department of Health and Environmental Control initially rejected Hilton Head's CON application in February but later reversed that decision, giving it a CON for an $18 million outpatient center. St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort Memorial filed appeals with the court in June challenging Hilton Head's CON.
According to the report, St. Joseph's/Candler has agreed to drop opposition to Hilton Head's application for a CON for the outpatient center. According to Beaufort County estimates, Hilton Head's new outpatient facility would boost annual county revenue by about $242,000, based on a handful of assumptions, including that the agreement came without property tax incentives, according to the report. Due to the estimated benefit to the county and the city of Beaufort, St. Joseph's/Candler was persuaded to drop its opposition.
"At the end of the day, we all want what is best for the patients living in Bluffton, Hilton Head and the surrounding communities. It was important to move on with the business of providing excellent and expanded services to the people of Beaufort County," said Paul P. Hinchey, president and CEO of St. Joseph's/Candler, according to the report. "The positive response we've received from our growth in the area shows that expanded medical services are needed, and this agreement will allow both systems to move forward at the appropriate time."
In a related case, Hilton Head Hospital agreed to drop its challenge of the state department's decision to allow St. Joseph's/Candler's acquisition of a CT scanner without a CON. In March, Hilton Head had opposed the state's January decision to allow St. Joseph's/Candler to acquire a CT scanner without first acquiring a CON. The state denied Hilton Head Hospital an appeal hearing to challenge this ruling.
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Earlier this year, St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort (S.C.) Memorial Hospital opposed Hilton Head Hospital's request for a certificate of need for a new outpatient center in Bluffton. Both St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort Memorial operate outpatient centers in Bluffton and said patient demand was insufficient to build another facility.
The state's Department of Health and Environmental Control initially rejected Hilton Head's CON application in February but later reversed that decision, giving it a CON for an $18 million outpatient center. St. Joseph's/Candler and Beaufort Memorial filed appeals with the court in June challenging Hilton Head's CON.
According to the report, St. Joseph's/Candler has agreed to drop opposition to Hilton Head's application for a CON for the outpatient center. According to Beaufort County estimates, Hilton Head's new outpatient facility would boost annual county revenue by about $242,000, based on a handful of assumptions, including that the agreement came without property tax incentives, according to the report. Due to the estimated benefit to the county and the city of Beaufort, St. Joseph's/Candler was persuaded to drop its opposition.
"At the end of the day, we all want what is best for the patients living in Bluffton, Hilton Head and the surrounding communities. It was important to move on with the business of providing excellent and expanded services to the people of Beaufort County," said Paul P. Hinchey, president and CEO of St. Joseph's/Candler, according to the report. "The positive response we've received from our growth in the area shows that expanded medical services are needed, and this agreement will allow both systems to move forward at the appropriate time."
In a related case, Hilton Head Hospital agreed to drop its challenge of the state department's decision to allow St. Joseph's/Candler's acquisition of a CT scanner without a CON. In March, Hilton Head had opposed the state's January decision to allow St. Joseph's/Candler to acquire a CT scanner without first acquiring a CON. The state denied Hilton Head Hospital an appeal hearing to challenge this ruling.
More Articles on Hilton Head, St. Joseph's/Candler CON Fight:
Two Hospitals Protest South Carolina's CON Reversal for Hilton Head HospitalSouth Carolina Reverses Hilton Head Hospital's CON Denial
South Carolina to Reconsider CON Denial for Hilton Head Hospital Outpatient Center