The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration approved the project, denying opposition by HCA’s Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce, Fla., and St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie.
Martin Memorial received preliminary approval from the state in June 2007. Lawnwood Regional and St. Lucie Medical Center challenged this preliminary approval in court but were denied by an administrative law judge.
The state ruled that the population growth of St. Lucie County created a community need for an additional hospital, according to the report.
The design and construction of the hospital is expected to take several years, according to the report.
Read WPBF News’ report on Martin Memorial Health Systems’ Port St. Lucie hospital.
