Structure Evaluation Process Overview
Lee Health Begins Evaluation of Current Structure with Community-Focused Mission in Mind
For the first 50 years of its history, Lee Health operated as a community-focused nonprofit health system. In 1968, we began operating as an independent special healthcare district created by the Florida Legislature and governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors. Over the last several decades, our community has grown dramatically, and through it all, Lee Health has remained unwavering in its mission of meeting the healthcare needs of Lee County residents regardless of their ability to pay, while also providing a positive and opportunity-filled work environment for team members and physicians.
The health care industry has also evolved and transformed in dramatic ways since 1968, intensifying financial and operational pressures and creating a surge in new competition from large, for-profit health systems located in other states and from well-funded private equity startup companies. Recognizing the growing pressure publicly owned health systems face, the Florida legislature set forth clear guidelines for Lee Health to review our structure and evaluate the potential benefits that would be created for the residents of Lee County if Lee Health returned to a community-centered nonprofit structure from our current nonprofit special district/government health system structure.
With the approval of our Board of Directors, we have begun the evaluation process laid out by the Florida legislature by engaging a highly respected healthcare advisory firm with experience in such evaluations to provide us with an unbiased, third-party perspective and expertise on the matter.
The forthcoming evaluation will help determine the best option for:
- Protecting our financial health, independence and community-led structure long-term, and
- Fueling our continued national leadership in healthcare, and
- Ensuring our ability to provide a full array of high-quality care and services to the residents of Lee County, regardless of their ability to pay.
This is only one step in a thoughtful and lengthy discernment process. Any potential change to our structure will be based on what we learn and would require public meetings and additional votes by our Board of Directors and the Lee County Board of Commissioners.
As our community’s most preferred and trusted provider of care, we are committed to transparency and to sharing more information along the way.
If you have questions or require further information, email us at [email protected], or simply click the link below to send us an email today.