Steps to Evaluate our Current Structure
The timebound process that Lee Health’s Board of Directors is following was established by the Florida Legislature. Significant work must be done to consider and weigh all options. This will be a thorough and lengthy discernment process of gathering facts and analyzing data to help us determine the optimal structure for Lee Health.
Step One: Choose to Conduct an Evaluation - Completed
The Lee Health Board of Directors may elect by a majority vote to conduct an evaluation of the potential benefits to the residents of Lee County to return Lee Health to a community-focused nonprofit health system model from its current status as a special district/government health system.
On August 31, 2023, the Lee Health Board of Directors voted in favor of commencing an evaluation.
Step Two: Evaluate the Optimal Path Forward - Completed
In evaluating the potential benefits of returning to a community-focused nonprofit health system, the Board of Directors must do the following:
Contract with an experienced entity to conduct an evaluation and complete a report in 180 days. (Kaufman Hall was engaged and submitted its final report on Feb. 21, 2024.)
Conduct a public hearing. (The first public hearing was held on Jan. 25, 2024, at Gulf Coast Medical Center. A second public hearing, while not required, was held on Apr. 25, 2024.)
Publish all documents considered by the Board on Lee Health’s website. (All documents are available at www.LeeHealth.org/LookingAhead)
Step Three: Discern the Benefits of Each Structure and Vote to Pursue Conversion - Completed
Within 120 days of the Board’s receipt of the final evaluation report, the Board may, by majority vote, determine whether the interests of the residents of the community are best served by converting the health system to a community-focused nonprofit structure.
Step Four: Create a Mission Agreement - Completed
Within 120 days of the Board’s determination that conversion to a community-focused nonprofit structure is in the best interests of Lee County residents, the Board must work with the Lee County Commission to create a Mission Agreement that sets out the terms of the conversion.
Step Five: Seek Approval of the Agreement
The Board of Directors may approve the agreement, by a majority vote plus one, in a The Lee County Board of Commissioners must also approve the agreement in a public meeting.
Each step of the process presents an opportunity for the Board to assess the benefits of returning to a community-focused nonprofit health system entity and whether to proceed forward or stop the process.
If you have questions or require further information, email us at LookingAhead@LeeHealth.org, or simply click the link below to send us an email today.