(TALLAHASSEE, FL.) – After months of meetings and strong public opinions, city commissioners have finally approved the merger to allow Florida State University to acquire Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Video Credit: YouTube / Mayor John Dailey
“This is about the long term health of our community,” Mayor Dailey says.
In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners permitted FSU and TMH to finalize and close on negotiations.
Negotiations are technically still ongoing, with final details and asset transfers scheduled to happen Apr. 1.
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow commented on the Apr. 1 date being too far from the Mar. 11 vote. Apr. 1 marks day one of fiscal quarter two, making it a convenient date for financial reports, rather than beginning in the middle of a quarter.
When Atrium Health merged with Wake Forest Baptist Health in 2020, the final vote occurred a full year earlier.
Last year, Santa Clara County in California voted to buy the Regional Medical Center Jan. 13, and also had an Apr. 1 target.
If the deal is signed on Apr. 1, it will be the quickest historical turnaround from vote to agreement.
Each deal has unique situations, and the public is not aware of what has been completed in preparation for the agreement. The commissioners’ vote on Mar. 11 allows the City Manager to finalize the deal between TMH and FSU, essentially in good faith.
An MOU is not legally binding, and with minute details still being negotiated (outside of legalities), the details have yet to be released.
The 3-2 vote was far from narrow, as the commissioners' votes have remained consistent since October.
Video Credit: YouTube / Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox
“Every Major accomplishment has taken planning, it’s taken participation, and it’s taken hearing from the people who will benefit.”
As Commissioner Williams-Cox expressed her content with the merger, she alluded to Commissioner Matlow, who is running for mayor in the upcoming election.
Commissioner Matlow has been vocal, disapproving of the current transfer.
Video Credit: YouTube / Commissioner Jeremy Matlow
“We need to have an honest conversation about what we’re building here; why we’re building it and what it looks like.”
Commissioner Matlow’s discontent comes from a lack of an independent appraisal, and a lack of specialties the hospital will bring.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Two independent appraisals would have been mandated for an asset as valuable as TMH, but the commissioners voted to use Ankura Consulting Group as the sole independent appraiser.
Over the past several months, numerous testimonies include long travels to Jacksonville and Gainesville to receive medical attention. Many comments have been supportive of FSU Health, with the hope of shortening medical-related trips.
Unfortunately, FSU is not expected to become a specialty hospital in the near future, as population is an important factor in securing specialty designations.
Both commissioners who voted against the transfer of assets clarified that they were not against the hospital, only the current conditions.
Commissioners Curtis Richardson and Dianne Williams-Cox voted with the mayor, sharing similar hopes and aspirations for the merger.
If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to comment and email me at jason.f@lead4earth.org.
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