Yesterday, several friends sent me a link to a viewpoint posted on FloridaPolitics.com that criticized Baptist Health Care for “executing a masterclass in dodging fiscal responsibility for the mess it’s left behind in Pensacola.”
- The subject line for one of the emails: “You are not the only one anymore.”
Florida Politics founder Peter Schorsch called out Baptist for moving out of the West Moreno District – which Baptist now spins as its “legacy campus” – to “greener (and wealthier) pastures” while leaving the taxpayers on the hook for $16.4 million to demolish its old facility.
As I have written many times, Schorsch pointed out:
Baptist repeatedly said they would continue providing some medical services at or near the old campus so neighboring residents wouldn’t lose critical access to care, even reaffirming that commitment as recently as May 2022. Today, they’ve completely abandoned that community, choosing to expand into more affluent areas, like the new Nine Mile ER they plan to open in northern Escambia County this month.
Baptist Leadership’s Message: We have been the only media outlet in Pensacola that has challenged Baptist’s abandonment of the Black community and its lying to elected officials, donors, and the entire community.
- As I know it would, Baptist would not let the criticism go unpunished. You will notice in our Rising Star issue that there are no Baptist employees. For the first time in 17 years, the healthcare system and its over four dozen past Rising Star honorees did not nominate a single individual.
- Two of my articles: Outtakes- Be A Trusted Partner and What Happens When Baptist Leaves.
