Keep Care in the Keys

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Lower Keys Medical Center is operated by a large, highly resourced healthcare company - Community Health Systems (CHS). CHS is fully focused on providing quality health services that will Keep Care in the Keys.

Health systems based in Miami, and other Florida communities, may be motivated to transfer local residents out of the Lower Keys, away from home, to their main hospital campuses. This is especially true for higher acuity services, like surgical care, heart care, cancer care and more. CHS wants to Keep Care in the Keys and is committed to investments that will make more care available in Key West.

What it means to Keep Care in the Keys:

• The doctors you need. Our providers offer primary care and specialty services in areas like cardiology, orthopedics, pulmonology, ENT, urology, women's services, cancer care and many other medical specialties - right here - so fewer people need to travel to Miami for medical attention.
• Emergency services around the clock. Our ER is available 24/7 to care for critical and life-threatening emergencies. Last year, 23,000 patients were treated in our ER.
• A hospital close to home. Our investments enable modern medical technology, surgical advancements, facility improvements, and the hospital services needed most in Key West.
• Compassionate care by a team you can trust. Our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are highly skilled, caring people and most are residents of the Keys. They care as much about quality healthcare in the Keys as you do.

What is at risk?

CHS' current lease of Lower Keys Medical Center is up for renewal in 2029. But CHS is prepared to renew the lease NOW and will commit to a more than $350 Million+ investment as part of an early lease renewal.

But if the lease is not renewed early, investments will be delayed which could affect access to care, recruitment of providers and expansion of health services.