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South Carolina Regulators Will Choose Construction Firm for Fort Mill Hospital

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 March 2006, 00:00 CST

By Julie Graham, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C.

Mar. 7--Four hospital companies competing to build a hospital in the Fort Mill area will make a final appeal to state regulators on March 23.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control will conduct a project review meeting in Columbia beginning at 9 a.m. with Carolinas HealthCare System, Hospital Partners of America, Piedmont Medical Center and Presbyterian Healthcare.

A 10-member DHEC panel will hear a 30-minute presentation from each company, then have 15 minutes to ask questions after each. At the end of the meeting, the panel will have an hour to ask any remaining questions about the applications to build York County's second hospital.

"It's a fact-finding meeting," said Joel Grice of DHEC, who will make the final decision. "It's a meeting that allows our staff to ask questions. It gives the applicants a chance to give compelling information."

It's been a year since some of the hospitals submitted proposals, so it's a good time for review and updates, said Grice, who hopes to name a hospital by late April.

For Charlie Miller, chief executive officer of Rock Hill-based PMC, it's about "highlighting our case," though he declined to reveal a game plan.

"I doubt anyone will," he said.

Hospital officials have been pitching their plans and looking for support from citizens, physicians and local leaders -- all considered by DHEC in the decision process.

It will be the first time they get to present to state regulators.

"We're getting ready," said Kati Everett, Presbyterian's spokeswoman. "It's an excellent opportunity for us to showcase how our application is different from others, so we always look forward to presenting directly to the state."

Hospital officials will draw numbers for the order of presenting and will not be allowed to comment on anything said by the other companies. They have until April 7 to submit follow-up comments in writing to DHEC.

"We've been looking forward to it and moving the process along," said Terry Linn, chief development officer of Hospital Partners. "Our application stands on its own two feet. We'll show the strengths and what differentiates us."

The project review will be held in the Peeples Auditorium at DHEC's main office at 2600 Bull St. in Columbia. The public can attend but will not be permitted to comment.

"We're going to use this opportunity to make the strongest case we can," said Scott White, a CHS spokesman. "We've done the paperwork, but this an important opportunity for all four contenders."

The four hospital companies will have a full day.

All have committed to participating in a public meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Mill High School auditorium, where they will present their proposals and answer questions from the public.

The comments collected at that meeting will be submitted to DHEC for consideration in the decision-making process.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C.

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Source: The Herald

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