Residents gathered at a public hearing to discuss Novant Health's hospital proposal in Bluffton.
A recent public hearing in Bluffton, SC, has sparked intense debate over Novant Health’s proposal to build a new hospital. Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s CEO spoke against the plan for a $320 million, 50-bed facility, asserting that it could monopolize local healthcare. With both sides presenting strong arguments and the community’s healthcare future at stake, the South Carolina Department of Public Health is reviewing Novant’s application, raising questions about competition and healthcare access in the region.
In Bluffton, South Carolina, excitement—and a bit of tension—filled the air on January 14, 2025, during a public hearing at Bluffton Library. The focal point of the evening? Novant Health’s application for a certificate of need (CON) to construct a new hospital in the area.
Russell Baxley, the CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital, came out swinging against Novant’s ambitious proposal to build a 50-bed facility at a prime location on an 18-acre site near the intersection of Buckwalter Parkway and Lake Point Drive. The estimated price tag for these healthcare facilities? A whopping $320 million. If all goes as planned, Novant also has its sights set on eventually doubling the hospital’s capacity to meet rising healthcare demands.
With over 80 attendees at the hearing, it was a packed house as representatives from both Beaufort and Novant made their case. Baxley even took a moment to reflect on Beaufort Memorial’s impressive 80-year history, suggesting that Novant might be attempting to “weaponize” the CON process to its advantage.
On the flip side, Jason Bernd, the South Carolina regional president for Novant Health, emphasized the organization’s extensive experience building community hospitals. He reassured the audience about their commitment to enhancing healthcare access for Bluffton and its surrounding areas.
Interestingly, Beaufort Memorial had earlier proposed a smaller 28-bed hospital in Bluffton back in 2018. However, it faced numerous legal hurdles and eventually had its CON application withdrawn in September 2024 after resistance from competing local hospitals. This time around, the stakes are higher as Novant Health recently acquired two hospitals in the area, adding Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital to its roster, which intensified the competition among healthcare providers.
As the hearing unfolded, discussions turned to the broader implications of healthcare delivery ethics in Bluffton. David Levitt, a consultant for Novant, pointed out some inconsistencies in Beaufort Memorial’s claims about the community’s healthcare needs, making it clear that both sides are deeply invested in what happens next.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health is set to review all CON applications, including Novant’s, by March 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Beaufort Memorial is pushing forward with its plans, set to break ground on a new medical office building connected to its earlier 28-bed proposal as early as February 2025.
If Novant gets the green light, they plan to usher in a new era of healthcare in Bluffton with their Bluffton Medical Center, designed to minimize the distance residents must travel for medical assistance. The facility won’t just stop at inpatient care; Novant has ambitious plans for an array of outpatient services such as emergency departments, surgery centers, and clinics.
On top of all that, the new Novant campus is anticipated to generate around 1,000 new jobs in the next five years, which could be a fantastic boost for the local economy. However, Beaufort Memorial has made it clear: should Novant’s CON be approved, they intend to challenge the decision, reiterating their relentless pursuit to establish healthcare options in the region.
As Bluffton stands on the cusp of significant changes in its healthcare landscape, residents remain engaged and curious about the future, keeping a watchful eye on the evolving dynamic between these two healthcare giants.
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