A group of orthopedic surgeons argue that there is a need for their proposed 24-bed surgical hospital in Delray Beach, Fla., which has drawn opposition from local homeowners, according to The Sun Sentinel.
Irving, Texas-based healthcare company Legent Health submitted plans in April to develop the 120,000-square foot facility in partnership with Physicians Surgical Network Associates.
The South Florida Spine & Orthopedic Institute would be co-owned by 29 local spine and orthopedic surgeons, according to the report.
But Alliance of Delray Residential Association opposed the plans, arguing that two other nearby hospitals serve the community's needs.
However, since 2019, hospitals in Florida no longer face certificate-of-need requirements for building facilities.
Robert Norton, MD, and Elvis Grandic, MD, two of the physicians proposing the facility, pointed to Palm Beach County's projected baby boomer population growth, which is expected to increase 40 percent by 2030, and the post-pandemic influx of people to the region as reasons why the facility is needed, according to the report.