The state of Florida will decide which of two dueling community hospitals will win their bid for a certificate of need to build a new hospital in Venice, Fla., according to the Herald-Tribune.
Sarasota (Fla.) Regional Memorial Health System and Venice (Fla.) Regional Bayfront Health have competed for patients in south Sarasota County for decades. The rivalry reached new heights after Sarasota Memorial opened an urgent care center just over a mile away from Venice Regional Bayfront Health in 2013.
Last fall, Sarasota Memorial revealed plans to build an 80-bed hospital in Venice. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration denied Sarasota Memorial's application, stating that the area's population was not large enough to justify adding another hospital, according to the article. After adjusting the application, Sarasota Memorial refiled for consideration for a CON this year.
Venice Regional has also filed an application for a CON to build a new facility rather than repair and maintain it's current location.
Officials expect FAHCA to approve only one CON application. It is unclear when state regulators will issue a decision.
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