Selling Florida's Public Hospitals: What Gov. Rick Scott's New Plan Means for the Industry

For many years, Florida resisted the trend toward national hospital privatization, but there is a new sheriff in town. By Dec. 31, 2012, all governing boards of Florida public hospitals must have commenced a five-month evaluation process of the possible benefits of selling or leasing facilities accounting for more than 20 percent of their revenue using objective criteria related to cost and clinical performance. Several hospital districts such as the North Broward Hospital District have already begun the review. At its conclusion, if they decide in favor of privatization, the boards must determine whether qualified for-profit or non-profit buyers or lessees are interested and rank them. If boards vote against privatization, they must explain why to the community.