Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is seeking approval from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to construct a 100-bed hospital in Lee County, Fla., according to The News-Press.
The health system filed a letter of intent with state regulators Feb. 2, under the name Medical Center of Southwest Florida, LLC. The LLC lists its primary address as HCA's corporate headquarters and lists its legal representative as HCA's West Florida Division CFO Timothy Burroughs.
While HCA did not immediately comment on the proposal, the health system confirmed it hoped to construct a new general acute care hospital with up to 100 patient beds in Lee County. A more detailed application is due to regulators by March 7.
Currently, Fort Meyers, Fla.-based Lee Health operates 95 percent of the acute care hospital beds in Lee County. Several years ago, Lee Health submitted a proposal for a new 80-bed hospital in the southern area of the county, which was blocked by Florida regulators who said there was no need for another hospital in the area. This makes it unclear if HCA will gain approval for its proposal.