Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Challenged Over Pasco Hospice Approval

laptop next to a stethoscope and patient chart
iStock
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

A preliminary decision by the state to approve a new hospice program in Pasco County faces legal challenges from two companies that were turned down. 

The state Agency for Health Care Administration, which gave approval to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Pasco County, received challenges from The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast and Compassionate Care Hospice of Pasco.

The companies are challenging the preliminary decision to authorize Oe application filed by Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. In its application, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care told regulators that, if the application was approved, the company would ensure access to hospice care for homeless people. 

The application said the company initially would provide $10,000 to provide hospice services to homeless people and would incrementally increase that funding. By the fourth year of operations, the company would commit $30,000 annually to support homeless services.