Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, GRANTING A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY (“COPCN”) TO COLUMBIA HOSPITAL CORPORATION OF SOUTH BROWARD (“HCA”); LIMITING THE COPCN TO VEHICLES OWNED OR DIRECTLY OPERATED BY HCA TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS TO OR FROM HCA’S HOSPITALS OR MEDICAL FACILITIES AT NO CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE; PROVIDING FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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Why Action is Necessary
Formal approval by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the adoption of the Resolution.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Section 401.25, Florida Statutes, requires entities that provide interfacility advanced life support (“ALS”) and basic life support (“BLS”) transportation services to be licensed by the State of Florida and to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (“COPCN”) from the applicable local governing body.
The Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”) exempts hospitals that transport patients to or from their own medical facilities using vehicles owned or directly operated by the hospitals from the requirements of Chapter 3½ of the Code, provided that no fee is charged for such service.
Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward (“HCA”) has requested a COPCN for the limited purpose of providing interfacility ALS and BLS services exclusively for patients being transported to or from its own hospitals or medical facilities. HCA has represented that it will use only vehicles owned or directly operated by HCA, and that no fee will be charged for the service.
The proposed Resolution grants HCA a two-year COPCN authorizing interfacility ALS and BLS transportation services subject to the following conditions: (a) services are limited to transporting patients to or from HCA-owned or -operated hospitals or medical facilities; (b) transportation must be provided solely by vehicles owned or directly operated by HCA; (c) no fee may be charged for these services; (d) HCA must remain in full compliance with Chapter 401, Florida Statutes; and (e) the Board reserves the right to modify or revoke the COPCN if necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, or if HCA fails to comply with applicable law or the terms of the COPCN.
Source of Additional Information
Adam Katzman, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.