Legislative Delegation Reacts to News of Ameris Health Systems' Decision to No Longer Pursue their Plans to Build a Hospital in Chiefland
TALLAHASSEE – The announcement that Ameris Health Systems will no longer pursue their plans to build a hospital in Chiefland came as a surprise to members of the Levy County Legislative Delegation this week, but the members remain united in their support of a medical facility in the rural area.
Representative Charles S. Dean (R-Inverness) expressed the delegations support again publicly on Wednesday.
"The delegation wants the people of Chiefland and the Tri-County area to know that we are committed to helping them," Dean said. "We are 100% committed to finding qualified applicants who will be able to meet the healthcare needs of the residents of this area."
The delegation voted unanimously at its annual public hearing in January to issue a statement of support of Ameris Health Systems' application for a certificate of need from the state's Agency for Health Care Administration. Former delegation chairman, State Senator Rod Smith (D-Alachua) addressed a letter to Deputy Secretary Elizabeth Dudek on January 9th "reiterating our support for a hospital facility in Chiefland" and thanking her for visiting Chiefland in recent weeks.
"We recognize that there is a genuine need for a facility to serve our constituency in this area and we'll continue to work to that end," stated Smith with State Senator Nancy Argenziano (R- Crystal River) on Wednesday. | 