Santa Rosa Commission Won’t Consider Jay Hospital Changes Next Week; No Decision From Baptist

May 5, 2011

Any proposed changes to Baptist Health Care’s lease on Jay Hospital won’t happen next week, but Baptist says no decision has been made about a future Jay Hospital partnership involving a Naples company.

County Commissioner Don Salter encouraged hundreds of people at a pro-hospital public forum last week in Jay to attend a commission meeting May 12 for possible action on the Jay Hospital lease. Now, Santa Rosa County Administrator Hunter Walker said Wednesday afternoon that Baptist has not requested any action by the commission next week.

At issue is the future of Jay Hospital — Jay doctor David Smith says Baptist and Naples-based HMA want to strike the term “non-profit” from their 99-year lease with Santa Rosa County, perhaps leading to a reduction in services at the 55-bed Jay Hospital — a reduction that could include the elimination of in-patient care and the emergency room.

According to Salter  Baptist and HMA are attempting to form a new company that will share management of Jay Hospital and Santa Rosa County Medical Center. HMA would own a controlling 68 percent interest, he said. Baptist and HMA have declined to discuss their exact plans publicly.

But while a request to alter the lease will not take place next week, Baptist’s plans have not necessarily changed.

“Baptist Health Care conducted a regular scheduled board meeting on Monday, May 2. The boards discussed the proposed partnership with HMA and Jay Hospital but no action has been taken at this point,” said Liz Adams, Baptist spokesperson, told NorthEscambia.com late Wednesday afternoon.

Smith, who serves on the Jay Hospital advisory board, said he was encouraged that Baptist will not ask Santa Rosa County to alter the lease next week.

“We still want to work with all the of parties involved,” Smith (pictured) said, “to make sure Jay Hospital is not hurt at all. We do not want reduced or eliminated services or to be closed in the future. There’s room for all parties involved to talk.”

Walker said he believes the five Santa Rosa commissioners will have the best interest of Jay hospital in mind if any changes to the hospital lease are ever presented to the board.

“Our board is not inclined to do much of anything until they (Baptist) agree with the Jay Hospital advisory board and the community’s wishes,” Walker said.

Jay Hospital is the town’s largest employer with 160 employees, a $5 million annual payroll and about $2 million per year in charity care.

Pictured: About 250 people attended a community meeting last week in support of Jay Hospital. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Santa Rosa Commission Won’t Consider Jay Hospital Changes Next Week; No Decision From Baptist”

  1. Chrome on May 8th, 2011 2:05 pm

    Someone should contact Shands (U of F Gainesville). They have took control of hospitals in Jacksonville plus they are a teaching hospital and they are “not for profit”. just an idea,ok ?

  2. Jackie Johnson on May 5th, 2011 9:27 pm

    You would think after Baptist paid for all of the commercials in 2008 about obtaining West Florida Hospital, which didn’t happen, they would have learned their lesson. Everyone at Jay, Century, Brewton, Berrydale, Walnut Hill, Bratt, Bluff Springs, Barth, Flomaton, McDavid and any other town that uses Jay Hospital need to make it a “Prayer Priority.” The grass is not always greener on the other side. Is this their way of paying for the new addition at Baptist Hospital?

  3. layla on May 5th, 2011 10:28 am

    Thank you for the update!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News