Petitioner: PASCO-PINELLAS HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC.
Respondent: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Judges: DAVID M. MALONEY
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Jul. 26, 2007
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.
Latest Update: Jan. 07, 2009
Summary: Whether there is need for a new hospital in AHCA Acute Care Subdistrict 5-2 (eastern Pasco County)? If so, whether AHCA should approve either CON 9975 or CON 9977?Pasco-Pinellas` application for a new hospital to fill the need in eastern Pasco County is superior to BayCare`s.
FILE! D
STATE OF FLORIDA _AHCA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION acentY CLERK
RENDITION NO.: AHCA-09-0016-FOF-CON 1H Jan ~b P 2 54
CON NOS, 9975 & 9977
~~ BAYCARE OF SOUTHEAST PASCO
INC,
. oa
Petitioner, DOAH CASE NO. 07-3482CON_%
AHCA NO. 2007008098
vs.
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION,
Lew Wd L-NuP 60
Respondent.
/
’ NEW PORT RICHEY HOSPITAL, INC.
d/b/al COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF NEW
PORT RICHEY,
Petitioner, DOAH CASE NO. 07-3483CON
AHCA NO. 20078081
vs.
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION,
Respondent.
PASCO-PINELLAS HILLSBOROUGH
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC.,
Petitioner,
vs. DOAH CASE NO. 07-3484CON
AHCA CASE NO. 2007907830
STATE OF FLORIDA, AGENCY FOR
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION,
Respondent.
FINAL ORDER
This case was referred to the Division of Administrative Hestings (DOARD where the
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assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), David M. MaloneS7/bndicted a formal
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administrative hearing. At issue in this proceeding is whether the Certificate of Need (CON)
applications filed by Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc. (“Pasco-
Pinellas”) and BayCare of Southeast Pasco, Inc. (“BayCare”) for a new hospital in Agency for
Health Care Administration “Agency” or “AHCA”) Acute Care Subdistrict 5-2, satisfy, on
balance, the applicable statutory and rule review criteria sufficiently to warrant approval, and, if
so, which of the two applications best meets the applicable criteria for approval. The
Recommended Order dated October 29, 2008 is attached to this final order and incorporated
herein by reference, except where noted infra.
RULINGS ON EXCEPTIONS
BayCare filed exceptions to the recommended order.
In Exception No. 1, BayCare took exception to the findings of fact in Paragraph 68 of the
Recommended Order, arguing that the paragraph contained a clear error in that the ALJ found
that BayCare did not condition approval of its CON application on the condition that the
proposed satellite hospital would be a teaching hospital. BayCare asserted that such a condition
was expressly listed in its CON application. While BayCare’s assertion that its CON application
contained the expressed condition that the proposed satellite hospital would be a teaching
hospital, it mischaracterizes the ALJ’s finding to the contrary by taking it out of context. In the _
finding at issue, the ALJ reasonably inferred that, based on the termination provisions in the
BayCare and USF agreement, BayCare’s CON application did not meet the criteria for a
“teaching hospital” in the Agency’s eyes. This inference was based on competent, substantial
evidence. See Transcript, Volume 17, Pages 2009-2013 and 2032-2034. However, the ALJ’s
finding should be modified in order for it not to be construed in the manner asserted by BayCare.
Therefore, BayCare’s Exception No. | is partially granted to the extent that Paragraph 68 of the
Recommended Order is modified to state:
68. The ability of USF to terminate the agreement is not "at will."
It requires good faith efforts to have been made at implementations
that fail to work. Furthermore, termination is not without
consequences. BayCare’s condition in its application that the
BayCare proposal be a teaching hospital is inconsistent with the
termination provision in the agreement, "one more detail that made
[AHCA officials] scratch our heads about the characterization of
this hospital as a teaching hospital." Tr. 2011. It is also inconsistent
with USF's support for "legislation that would be statewide that
would allow state. medical schools at some point, if they chose to,
to make it easier . . . to have a hospital or research hospital on
campus ... [of which] USF would be one..." Tr. 1190-91.
In Exception No. 2, BayCare took exception to the conclusions of law in Paragraphs 179
and 180 of the Recommended Order, arguing that the conclusions of law in these paragraphs
were based on the erroneous finding of fact in Paragraph 68 of the Recommended Order and
should therefore be rejected. However, as set forth in the ruling on Exception No. 1 supra, the
findings of fact in Paragraph 68 of the Recommended Order were based on competent,
substantial evidence. The Agency finds that it could not substitute conclusions of law that are as
or more reasonable than those of the ALJ. Therefore, Exception No. 2 is denied.
FINDINGS OF FACT
The Agency hereby adopts the findings of fact set forth in the Recommended Order,
except where noted supra.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Agency adopts the conclusions of law set forth in the Recommended Order.
ORDER
Based upon the foregoing, Pasco-Pinellas’ CON application No. 9975 is approved, and
BayCare’s CON application No. 9977 is denied.
st
DONE and ORDERED this 3( day of Veembu , 200 6, in Tallahassee,
HOLL : BENSON, SECRETARY
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Florida.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW
A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED
TO A JUDICIAL REVIEW WHICH SHALL BE INSTITUTED BY FILING ONE COPY
OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE AGENCY CLERK OF AHCA, AND A
SECOND COPY ALONG WITH THE FILING FEE AS PRESCRIBED BY LAW, WITH
THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE
AGENCY MAINTAINS ITS HEADQUARTERS OR WHERE A PARTY RESIDES.
REVIEW PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FLORIDA APPELLATE RULES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RENDITION OF THE ORDER TO BE REVIEWED.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
IJ HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Final Order has
been furnished by U.S. Mail, or by the method indicated, to the persons named below on this
RICHARD J. SHOOP, Agency Clerk
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, MS #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403
(850) 922-5873
COPIES FURNISHED TO:
Honorable David M. Maloney
Administrative Law Judge
Division of Administrative Hearings
The DeSoto Building
1230 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060
Karin M. Byrne, Esquire
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, MS #3
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Stephen K. Boone, Esquire
Boone, Boone, Boone, Koda & Frook, P.A.
1001 Avenida Del Circo
Post Office Box 1596
Venice, Florida 34284
Jonathan L. Rue, Esquire
Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs, LLP
1500 Marquis Two Tower
285 Peachtree Center Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Robert A. Weiss, Esquire
Karen A. Putnal, Esquire
Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs, LLP
The Perkins House, Suite 200
118 North Gadsden Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Stephen A. Ecenia, Esquire
R. David Prescott, Esquire
Rutledge, Ecenia, & Purnell, P.A.
215 South Monroe Street, Suite 420
Post Office Box 551
Tallahassee, Florida 32302-0551
Elizabeth Dudek
Health Quality Assurance
Jan Mills
Facilities Intake Unit
Docket for Case No: 07-003484CON
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 07, 2009 |
Final Order filed.
|
Oct. 28, 2008 |
Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
|
Oct. 28, 2008 |
Recommended Order (hearing held March 31 through April 4, 8-11, 14-18, and 21, 2008). CASE CLOSED.
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Sep. 24, 2008 |
Notice of Unavailability filed.
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Sep. 22, 2008 |
Letter to Judge Maloney from Karin Byrne regarding missing trial exhibit (exhibit not available for viewing) filed.
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Aug. 15, 2008 |
Letter to Judge Maloney from S. Boone regarding filing of Pasco-Pinellas County Proposed Recommended Order filed.
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Aug. 13, 2008 |
Proposed Recommended Order (filed in Case No. 07-003484CON).
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Proposed Recommended Order of Community Hospital filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Memorandum of Law in Response to Baycare`s Evidentiary Objections filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Agency Position Regarding PRO filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Agency`s Position on Adverse Impact filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Pasco-Pinellas Memorandum of Law on Adverse Impact and Application Amendement Issues filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Baycare of Southeast Pasco, Inc.`s Memorandum of Law in Support of its Proposed Recommended Order filed.
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Aug. 12, 2008 |
Proposed Recommended Order of Baycare of Southeast Pasco, Inc. filed.
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Jul. 30, 2008 |
Order (Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Proposed Recommended Orders and to Adopt Agreed Page Limitations is granted).
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Jul. 29, 2008 |
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Proposed Recommended Orders and to Adopt Agreed Page Limitations filed.
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Jul. 08, 2008 |
Order Granting Extension of Time (proposed recommended orders to be filed by August 5, 2008).
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Jul. 07, 2008 |
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Proposed Recommended Orders filed.
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May 15, 2008 |
Transcript (Volumes 1-21) filed. |
May 15, 2008 |
Transcripts (condensed) filed. |
May 13, 2008 |
Final Exhibit Hearing No. 36 (exhibit not available for viewing) filed.
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Apr. 22, 2008 |
Baycare`s Exhibit 40 (exhibit not available for hearing) filed.
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Mar. 31, 2008 |
CASE STATUS: Hearing Held. |
Mar. 27, 2008 |
Joint Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
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Mar. 19, 2008 |
Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc.`s Amended Witness List filed.
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Mar. 19, 2008 |
Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc.`s Amended Witness List filed.
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Mar. 19, 2008 |
Amended Notice of Hearing (hearing set for March 31 through April 4, 8 through 11, 14 through 18 and April 21, 2008; 9:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL; amended as to dates of hearing).
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Feb. 21, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Notice of Serving Answers and Objections to BayCare`s First Set of Interrogatories filed.
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Feb. 18, 2008 |
Notice of Taking Depositions Duces Tecum filed.
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Feb. 18, 2008 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum (R. Knapp) filed.
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Feb. 14, 2008 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum (T. Inzina) filed.
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Feb. 12, 2008 |
BayCare`s Notice of Serving Answers and Objections to Community Hospital`s First Set of Interrogatories filed.
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Feb. 11, 2008 |
Pasco-Pinellas Witness Deposition Schedule filed.
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Feb. 11, 2008 |
Pasco-Pinellas Witness Deposition Schedule filed.
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Feb. 08, 2008 |
Notice of Appearance of Co-counsel of Record filed.
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Feb. 06, 2008 |
Notice of Producing Witness for Deposition filed.
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Feb. 04, 2008 |
Final Witness List of Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc. filed.
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Feb. 01, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Final Witness List filed.
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Feb. 01, 2008 |
The Agency for Health Care Administration`s Final Witness List filed.
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Feb. 01, 2008 |
BayCare`s Witness List filed.
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Jan. 17, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s First Request for Production of Documents to Baycare of Southeast Pasco, Inc. filed.
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Jan. 17, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Notice of Service of First Set of Interrogatories to Baycare of Southeast Pasco, Inc. filed.
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Jan. 17, 2008 |
Order Amending Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Jan. 16, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s First Request for Production of Documents to Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc. filed.
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Jan. 16, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Notice of Service of First Set of Interrogatories to Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Communtiy Health System, Inc. filed.
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Jan. 15, 2008 |
Joint Motion to Amend Order of Prehearing Instructions filed.
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Jan. 07, 2008 |
Community Hospital`s Preliminary Witness List filed.
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Jan. 07, 2008 |
The Agency for Health Care Administration`s Preliminary Witness List filed.
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Jan. 07, 2008 |
Baycare`s Preliminary Witness List filed.
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Jan. 07, 2008 |
Preliminary Witness List of Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Comminty Health System, Inc. filed.
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Oct. 10, 2007 |
Amended Order of Pre-Hearing Instructions.
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Sep. 21, 2007 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Sep. 21, 2007 |
(Proposed) Order of Prehearing Instructions filed.
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Sep. 21, 2007 |
Notice of Filing Proposed Order of Prehearing Instructions filed.
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Sep. 12, 2007 |
Order Granting Extension of Time (proposed order of pre-hearing instructions to be filed by September 20, 2007).
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Sep. 11, 2007 |
New Port Richey Hospital, Inc.`s Motion for Extension of Time to File Proposed Order or Prehearing Instructions (Unopposed Motion) filed.
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Aug. 14, 2007 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by K. Putnal).
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Aug. 09, 2007 |
Order (within 30 days of this Order, parties shall file a proposed order of pre-hearing instructions).
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Aug. 09, 2007 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for March 31 through April 4, 7 through 11 and 14 through 18, 2008; 9:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
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Aug. 09, 2007 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Jul. 30, 2007 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 07-3482CON, 07-3483CON, and 07-3484CON).
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Jul. 30, 2007 |
Initial Order.
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Jul. 26, 2007 |
Notice of Related Cases filed. (DOAH Case Nos. 07-3482CON, 07-3483CON and 07-3484CON) filed. filed.
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Jul. 26, 2007 |
Petition Challenging Co-Batched Applicatn and Supporting Agency for Health Care Administration`s Initial Decision filed.
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Jul. 26, 2007 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
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Orders for Case No: 07-003484CON
Issue Date |
Document |
Summary |
Dec. 31, 2008 |
Agency Final Order
|
|
Oct. 28, 2008 |
Recommended Order
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Pasco-Pinellas` application for a new hospital to fill the need in eastern Pasco County is superior to BayCare`s.
|