Franklin hospital appeals state decision to block move
Published: Tue, May. 20, 2008 05:20PM
Modified Tue, May. 20, 2008 05:20PM
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closeRALEIGH — Rex Healthcare and a Franklin County hospital have appealed a state decision that blocked moving the county’s only hospital from Louisburg to Youngsville.
In an appeal filed with the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearing, Rex Healthcare and the owner of Franklin Regional Medical Center asked the state to take another look at their bid to relocate the 70-bed hospital from central Franklin County to a site a few miles northeast of the Wake County line.
"We believe that original application was very solid," said Melody Hunter-Pillion, a Rex spokeswoman. "We're just following the process so that another ear can hear the application."
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The proposed $103 million hospital would replace the aging facility in Louisburg that was bought by Health Management Associates of Naples, Fla, in the 1980s. State regulators found that Franklin Regional failed to prove the new hospital was necessary.
In their decision, regulators cited poor patient care in the death of a 76-year-old patient after elective surgery. The death prompted a federal investigation into the hospital.
The appeal will be the second time HMA has appealed a state denial of a proposed move.
Shortly after their first bid to move was turned down, made without Rex as a partner, HMA appealed the decision. That appeal is pending.
sam.lagrone@newsobserver.com or (919) 836-4951
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