RESOLUTION NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG SUPPORTING LEESBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND THE CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FROM THE NORTH LAKE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Whereas, Leesburg Regional Medical Center (LRMC) has been providing hospital services in this community since 1963 and has grown into a world-class, 322-bed, acute care hospital; and

Whereas, the services provided by LRMC are an essential component in the health and wellbeing of the residents of Leesburg and the surrounding community; and

Whereas, LRMC is required by law to provide care to uninsured area residents for which it does not receive reimbursement, often in excess of $6,000,000; and

Whereas, LRMC must also shoulder the burden of over $36,000,000 in Medicare and Medicaid funding shortfalls; and

Whereas, the North Lake County Hospital District provides modest but critical funding to ease these financial burdens by providing $4.5M in tax revenues for use by the hospital; and

Whereas, without the district funding, LRMC could be forced to eliminate unprofitable health care services that are important to our residents, and

Whereas, LRMC employs over 1,900 people and has an economic impact of $132M annually, making it a key economic engine for our community;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

            THAT the Leesburg City Commission supports Leesburg Regional Medical Center and the 1mill tax levy currently adopted by the North Lake County Hospital District, and encourages all parties considering changes to the levy to carefully weigh the potential adverse impacts to LRMC and the community.

 THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the _____ day of _________ 2011

                                                                            __________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk