Our VIEW ON THE PROPOSED SALE OF TMH TO THE STATE

Our community has been presented with a false dilemma. We all agree that improving medical outcomes and access to the best quality care for the people of Tallahassee is essential.  We should always be willing to make substantive changes to existing practices if they fall short of that mission. 

That said, many studies provide evidence that academic health centers (AHCs) in general have better patient outcomes than non-teaching or community hospitals. But that fact is being used as a blanket justification for the entire FSU/TMH agreement. 

You can be opposed to the framework of the deal and still be for an FSU AHC. Through national and state political messaging we’ve grown accustomed to all issues being presented as binary choices. 

For something as important as the transfer of the lease, the land, and all the assets to FSU—we need to appreciate the complexity and intricacies of the agreement. Our community deserves more clarity and community protections as our hospital explores deeper ties with FSU.

A MAJOR BILLION DOLLAR Community DECISION

I support partnerships that expand training, research, and care — but not at the expense of local oversight, transparency, or the needs of our most disadvantaged. With that in mind, the current board proposal in the MOU needs to be amended. The eight FSU board seats would eventually function as a mouthpiece for a state that is ideologically captured by vaccine-skeptics and science-deniers. This is especially troubling when you combine it with the flexible language in the MOU that states TMH is to “retain control” but is subject to “coordination and cooperation” with FSU.

This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to find a resolution that works towards the betterment of health outcomes for everyone. It is incumbent on our leaders, as well as TMH and FSU, to be forthcoming and honest with the community. 

If a sale is imminent then it stands to reason that two separate appraisals should be done to provide true market value as compensation. If that’s not the case, then give us the opportunity to consider alternative partnerships that could be better suited to accommodate our healthcare needs more quickly. 

If different pathways aren’t fruitful, then let's recognize that the future of the hospital is too important to leave in the hands of a few, and let the voters decide through a referendum in 2026.

PERSONAL NOTE

Both of my children were born at TMH, my son got his tonsil and adenoids removed there, he was also transported to the E.R. there after his drowning accident at Wakulla Springs, and I got a piece of metal removed from one of my eyes there (always wear safety goggles, people).

TMH isn’t just a hospital to me—it’s part of my family’s story. That’s why I’m calling for transparency, fair value, and community oversight. That means keeping decisions about its future accountable to the people it serves, right here in Tallahassee.

POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE FRAMEWORK IDEAS

  • Restructure the lease to allow for the transfer of land and assets specific to the already agreed upon FSU AHC to FSU Health. 

  • TMH partners with Mayo Clinic. A more established medical research group and Healthcare provider that could deliver better and  quicker results for our community.

  • This restructuring of the agreement allows FSU to establish their AHC with autonomy, funding access, stability, and lower risk.