SOUTHERN BAPTIST HOSPITAL v. AGENCY

No. 1D17-2027, No. 1D17-2028, No. 1D17-2033, No. 1D17-2034, No. 1D17-2035, No. 1D17-2038, No. 1D17-2040, No. 1D17-2041, No. 1D17-2042, No. 1D17-2045, No. 1D17-2047, No. 1D17-2049, No. 1D17-2051, No. 1D17-2053, No. 1D17-2054, No. 1D17-2057.

270 So.3d 488 (2019)

SOUTHERN BAPTIST HOSPITAL OF FLORIDA d/b/a Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida d/b/a Baptist Medical Center of the Beaches; Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida d/b/a Baptist Medical Center; Martin Memorial Medical Center; South Lake Hospital; Orlando Health, Inc. d/b/a Orlando Health; Orlando Health Central, Inc. d/b/a Health Central, Appellants, v. AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, Appellee. Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida d/b/a Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida d/b/a Baptist Medical Center of the Beaches; Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida d/b/a Baptist Medical Center; Martin Memorial Medical Center; South Lake Hospital; Orlando Health, Inc. d/b/a Orlando Health; Orlando Health Central, Inc. d/b/a Health Central, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. The Public Health Trust of Miami-dade County, Florida, which governs and operates Jackson Health System, including Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center and Jackson South Community Hospital, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Miami Beach Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Aventura Hospital and Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Blake Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Brandon Regional Hospital; Tallahassee Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Capital Regional Medical Center; Central Florida Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Central Florida Regional Hospital; Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Citrus Memorial Hospital; Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Doctors Hospital of Sarasota; Englewood Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Englewood Community Hospital; Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Bay Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Gulf Coast Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center-North Campus; Kendall Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Kendall Regional Medical Center; Notami Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Lake City Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center-Indian Rocks; Lawnwood Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity West Pasco Campus; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Memorial Hospital Jacksonville; West Florida — MHT, LLC, d/b/a Memorial Hospital of Tampa; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Mercy Hospital, a Campus of Plantation General Hospital; North Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a North Florida Regional Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Northside Hospital; Norhtwest Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Northwest Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Oak Holl Hospital; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Ocala Regional Medical Center; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a West Marion Community Hospital; Orange Park Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Orange Park Medical Center; Osceola Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Osceola Regional Medical Center; West Florida — PPH, LLC, d/b/a Palms of Pasadena Hospital; Palms West Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Palms West Hospital; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Plantation General Hospital; Poinciana Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Poinciana Medical Center; Putnam Community Medical Center of North Florida, LLC, d/b/a Putnam Community Medical Center; Okeechobee Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Raulerson Hospital; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point; HCA Long Term Health Services of Miami, Inc., d/b/a Sister Emmanuel Hospital; Sun City Hospital, Inc., d/b/a South Bay Hospital; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Specialty Hospital Jacksonville; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Lucie Medical Center; Galen of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Petersburg General Hospital; West Florida — TCH, LLC, d/b/a Tampa Community Hospital; Okaloosa Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Twin Cities Hospital; University Hospital, Ltd., d/b/a University Hospital and Medical Center; West Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a West Florida Hospital; and Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward, d/b/a Westside Regional Medical Center, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. The Public Health Trust of Miami-Dade County, Florida, which governs and operates Jackson Health System, including Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center and Jackson South Community Hospital, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Miami Beach Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Aventura Hospital and Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Blake Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Brandon Regional Hospital; Tallahassee Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Capital Regional Medical Center; Central Florida Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Central Florida Regional Hospital; Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Citrus Memorial Hospital; Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Doctors Hospital of Sarasota; Englewood Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Englewood Community Hospital; Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Bay Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Gulf Coast Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center-North Campus; Kendall Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Kendall Regional Medical Center; Notami Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Lake City Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center-Indian Rocks; Lawnwood Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity West Pasco Campus; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Memorial Hospital Jacksonville; West Florida — MHT, LLC, d/b/a Memorial Hospital of Tampa; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Mercy Hospital, a Campus of Plantation General Hospital; North Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a North Florida Regional Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Northside Hospital; Norhtwest Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Northwest Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Oak Holl Hospital; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Ocala Regional Medical Center; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a West Marion Community Hospital; Orange Park Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Orange Park Medical Center; Osceola Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Osceola Regional Medical Center; West Florida — PPH, LLC, d/b/a Palms of Pasadena Hospital; Palms West Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Palms West Hospital; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Plantation General Hospital; Poinciana Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Poinciana Medical Center; Putnam Community Medical Center of North Florida, LLC, d/b/a Putnam Community Medical Center; Okeechobee Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Raulerson Hospital; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point; HCA Long Term Health Services of Miami, Inc., d/b/a Sister Emmanuel Hospital; Sun City Hospital, Inc., d/b/a South Bay Hospital; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Specialty Hospital Jacksonville; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Lucie Medical Center; Galen of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Petersburg General Hospital; West Florida — TCH, LLC, d/b/a Tampa Community Hospital; Okaloosa Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Twin Cities Hospital; University Hospital, Ltd., d/b/a University Hospital and Medical Center; West Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a West Florida Hospital; and Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward, d/b/a Westside Regional Medical CenterMiami Beach Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Aventura Hospital and Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Blake Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Brandon Regional Hospital; Tallahassee Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Capital Regional Medical Center; Central Florida Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Central Florida Regional Hospital; Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Citrus Memorial Hospital; Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Doctors Hospital of Sarasota; Englewood Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Englewood Community Hospital; Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Bay Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Gulf Coast Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center; JFK Medical Center Limited Partnership, d/b/a JFK Medical Center-North Campus; Kendall Healthcare Group, Ltd., d/b/a Kendall Regional Medical Center; Notami Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Lake City Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center; Largo Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Largo Medical Center-Indian Rocks; Lawnwood Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity; New Port Richey Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Medical Center of Trinity West Pasco Campus; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Memorial Hospital Jacksonville; West Florida — MHT, LLC, d/b/a Memorial Hospital of Tampa; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Mercy Hospital, a Campus of Plantation General Hospital; North Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a North Florida Regional Medical Center; Galencare, Inc., d/b/a Northside Hospital; Norhtwest Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Northwest Medical Center; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Oak Holl Hospital; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Ocala Regional Medical Center; Marion Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a West Marion Community Hospital; Orange Park Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Orange Park Medical Center; Osceola Regional Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Osceola Regional Medical Center; West Florida — PPH, LLC, d/b/a Palms of Pasadena Hospital; Palms West Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Palms West Hospital; Plantation General Hospital Limited Partnership, d/b/a Plantation General Hospital; Poinciana Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Poinciana Medical Center; Putnam Community Medical Center of North Florida, LLC, d/b/a Putnam Community Medical Center; Okeechobee Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Raulerson Hospital; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point; HCA Long Term Health Services of Miami, Inc., d/b/a Sister Emmanuel Hospital; Sun City Hospital, Inc., d/b/a South Bay Hospital; Memorial Healthcare Group, Inc., d/b/a Specialty Hospital Jacksonville; HCA Health Services of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Lucie Medical Center; Galen of Florida, Inc., d/b/a St. Petersburg General Hospital; West Florida — TCH, LLC, d/b/a Tampa Community Hospital; Okaloosa Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Twin Cities Hospital; University Hospital, Ltd., d/b/a University Hospital and Medical Center; West Florida Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a West Florida Hospital; and Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward, d/b/a Westside Regional Medical Center, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola, Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast and Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside, St. Luke's-St. Vincent's Healthcare, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside and St. Vincent's Medical Center-Clay County, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center-Clay County, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. CGH Hospital, Ltd d/b/a Coral Gables Hospital, Delray Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Good Samaritan Medical Center, Hialeah Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Hialeah Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a North Shore Medical Center, North Shore Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Florida Medical Center — a Campus of North Shore, Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a St. Mary's Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a West Boca Medical Center, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola, Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast and Sacred Heart Health System, Inc. d/b/a Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf and St. Vincent's Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside, St. Luke's-St. Vincent's Healthcare, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside and St. Vincent's Medical Center-Clay County, Inc. d/b/a St. Vincent's Medical Center-Clay County, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. CGH Hospital, Ltd d/b/a Coral Gables Hospital, Delray Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Good Samaritan Medical Center, Hialeah Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Hialeah Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a North Shore Medical Center, North Shore Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Florida Medical Center — a Campus of North Shore, Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a St. Mary's Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a West Boca Medical Center, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, Florida Hospital Orlando, and Florida Hospital Wachula; Florida Hospital Orlando, and Florida Hospital Wachula; Florida Hospital Waterman, Inc.; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Inc.; Memorial Health Systems, Inc. d/b/a Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center; Memorial Hospital Flagler, Inc.; Memorial Hospital-West Volusia, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Deland; Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Southeast Volusia Healthcare Corporation, d/b/a Florida Hospital New Smyrna; Southwest Volusia Healthcare Corporation, d/b/a Florida Hospital Fish Memorial; Tarpon Springs Hospital Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital North Pinellas; and University Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital North Pinellas; and University Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital at Connerton-ltach, and Florida Hospital Tampa, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Bayfront HMA Medical Center, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health — St. Petersburg; Citrus HMA, LLC, d/b/a Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center; Crestview Hospital Corporation, d/b/a North Okaloosa Medical Center; Haines City HMA, LLC, d/b/a Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center; Hernando HMA, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health-Brooksville and Bayfront Health — Spring Hill; HMA Santa Rosa Medical Center, LLC; Key West HMA, LLC, d/b/a Lower Keys Medical Center; Lake Shore HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center; Lake Wales Hospital Corporation d/b/a Lake Wales Medical Center; Live Oak HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center; Naples HMA, LLC, d/b/a Physicians Regional Medical Center — Pine Ridge and Physicians Regional Medical Center — Collier Boulevard; Melbourne HMA, LLC; Munroe HMA Hospital, LLC, d/b/a Munroe Regional Medical Center; Osceola SC, LLC, d/b/a St. Cloud Regional Medical Center; Pasco Regional Medical Center, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health — Dade City; Port Charlotte HMA, LLC d/b/a Bayfront Health — Port Charlotte; Punta Gorda HMA, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health Punta Gorda; Rockledge HMA, LLC; Sebastian Hospital, LLC, d/b/a Sebastian River Medical Center; Sebring Hospital Management Associates, LLC, d/b/a Highlands Regional Medical Center; Starke HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Starke Regional Medical Center; and Venice HMA, LLC, d/b/a Venice Regional Bayfront Health, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Cape Canaveral Hospital, Inc., Holmes Regional Medical Center, Inc., and Viera Hospital, Inc. Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Bayfront HMA Medical Center, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health — St. Petersburg; Citrus HMA, LLC, d/b/a Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center; Crestview Hospital Corporation, d/b/a North Okaloosa Medical Center; Haines City HMA, LLC, d/b/a Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center; Hernando HMA, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health-Brooksville and Bayfront Health — Spring Hill; HMA Santa Rosa Medical Center, LLC; Key West HMA, LLC, d/b/a Lower Keys Medical Center; Lake Shore HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center; Lake Wales Hospital Corporation d/b/a Lake Wales Medical Center; Live Oak HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center; Naples HMA, LLC, d/b/a Physicians Regional Medical Center — Pine Ridge and Physicians Regional Medical Center — Collier Boulevard; Melbourne HMA, LLC; Munroe HMA Hospital, LLC, d/b/a Munroe Regional Medical Center; Osceola SC, LLC, d/b/a St. Cloud Regional Medical Center; Pasco Regional Medical Center, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health — Dade City; Port Charlotte HMA, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health — Port Charlotte; Punta Gorda HMA, LLC, d/b/a Bayfront Health Punta Gorda; Rockledge HMA, LLC; Sebastian Hospital, LLC, d/b/a Sebastian River Medical Center; Sebring Hospital Management Associates, LLC, d/b/a Highlands Regional Medical Center; Starke HMA, LLC, d/b/a Shands Starke Regional Medical Center; and Venice HMA, LLC, d/b/a Venice Regional Bayfront Health, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, Florida Hospital Orlando, and Florida Hospital Wachula; Florida Hospital Orlando, and Florida Hospital Wachula; Florida Hospital Waterman, Inc.; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Inc.; Memorial Health Systems, Inc. d/b/a Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center; Memorial Hospital Flagler, Inc.; Memorial Hospital-West Volusia, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Deland; Pasco-Pinellas Hillsborough Community Health System, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Southeast Volusia Healthcare Corporation, d/b/a Florida Hospital New Smyrna; Southwest Volusia Healthcare Corporation, d/b/a Florida Hospital Fish Memorial; Tarpon Springs Hospital Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital North Pinellas; and University Community Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital at Connerton-ltach, and Florida Hospital Tampa, Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee. Cape Canaveral Hospital, Inc., Holmes Regional Medical Center, Inc., and Viera Hospital, Inc. Appellants, v. Agency for Health Care Administration, Appellee.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.

April 26, 2019.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Stephen A. Ecenia , David M. Maloney , Tana D. Storey , and Gabriel F.V. Warren of Rutledge Ecenia, Tallahassee; Kyle L. Kemper and Steven Mindlin of Sundstrom & Mindlin, LLP, Tallahassee; Joanne B. Erde and Donna Holshouser Stinson of Duane Morris LLP, Miami; Michael J. Glazer and E. Dylan Rivers of Ausley McMullen, Tallahassee; and Christopher C. Kokoruda and Laura E. Wade of the Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office, Miami, for Appellants.

Joseph Goldstein of Shutts & Bowen LLP, Fort Lauderdale; Amber Stoner of Shutts & Bowen LLP, Tallahassee; and Stephen T. Maher of Shutts & Bowen LLP, Miami, for Appellee.


In this consolidated matter, Appellants1 ("the Hospitals") appeal a final order declaring valid the Agency for Health Care Administration's ("the Agency") existing and proposed rules which implement legislative mandates to reduce reimbursement rates for Medicaid outpatient hospital services. The Hospitals...

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