Michigan Senate voted last week against changing the state Certificate of Need process, dealing a blow to McLaren’s hopes for a new $300 million hospital on Sashabaw Road.
Local officials are disappointed in the decision.
“Looks like we need to do a better job communicating with the folks in Lansing,” said township Supervisor Pat Kittle.
“We wanted similar treatment like in the state legislature in 2002, that allowed two new hospitals to be built by Henry Ford Health System and St. John Providence Health System in Oakland County,” said Independence Township Trustee Jose Aliaga. “They were even able to add new beds. McLaren’s intention is to transfer 200 beds from Pontiac.?
The McLaren hospital project would benefit Clarkston as well as Pontiac, said Gerald Poisson, chief deputy county executive for Oakland County.
Friends of the Certificate of Need said lawmakers made the right decision.
‘We thank them for caring about health care cost containment for the state. A ninth hospital in an area with too few of patients would have caused significant financial stress to the healthcare industry,? said Bret Jackson, president of the Economic Alliance for Michigan.
The proposed law would authorize a special exemption to state Certificate Of Need requirements, allowing construction of the McLaren hospital. The senate voted 26-11, Dec. 4.
McLaren will appeal the decision through the Michigan Supreme Court.