This Will Impact Florida Healthcare For Years To Come
Advancements in technology, changes in legislation and the expansion of ambulatory care are changing the face of healthcare across the U.S.
Florida’s healthcare industry is experiencing a major shift as real estate prices rise and proposals for new facilities continue to pop up since the elimination of the Certificate of Need rules. Healthcare industry leaders will discuss these issues at Bisnow’s upcoming South Florida Healthcare Real Estate Event on Aug. 8.
As of July 1, Florida healthcare facilities are no longer required to obtain a Certificate of Need from the state before beginning construction. Jackson Health System Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Don Steigman says he has already seen the impact on construction.
“There has already been a plethora of planned expansion in the ambulatory arena,” Steigman said. “Hospitals, physician practice groups and other healthcare providers have begun placing a greater emphasis on the outpatient side of care, giving communities access to free-standing emergency rooms, urgent care centers and group practices.”
Bisnow spoke to Steigman to learn more about what this change means for the future of healthcare in Florida and to get a preview of what he will be speaking about at Bisnow’s South Florida Healthcare Real Estate event.
Bisnow: Why is Bisnow’s upcoming South Florida Healthcare Real Estate event so important to you and what will you be speaking about?
Don Steigman: Since the elimination of the Certificate of Need rules, hospitals can be opened in Florida without the state having to approve the need for new hospitals. These healthcare facilities will still go through a licensing process, but they won’t have to prove that there’s a need in a community to build a facility. This is a huge change that will impact the landscape of healthcare real estate in Florida for years to come.
Bisnow: Can you tell me a bit about what you do at Jackson Health System?
Steigman: I’m the chief operating officer for Jackson Health System. I’m responsible for the day-to-day operations of our hospitals, support services and ambulatory services, including our outpatient facilities and urgent care centers. Additionally, I’m responsible for the strategic growth of our operations.
Bisnow: What is the most pressing issue currently impacting healthcare real estate in South Florida?
Steigman: Right now, I believe it’s the challenges that come with aligning the real estate values in South Florida with the income that will be produced by these new healthcare enterprises. There are tremendous economic pressures placed on healthcare facilities and these pressures, combined with rising real estate value in South Florida, are limiting the feasibility of some proposed new healthcare projects. On a more positive note, the healthcare real estate market is growing throughout all of Florida and I believe there will be many opportunities for new ambulatory healthcare facilities to open in cities across the state.
Bisnow: Outside of your work, what are you most passionate about?
Steigman: When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, running and going on hikes. I’m also on the board of my local chapter of The Liver Foundation.
Source: Bisnow
