The South Carolina health department denied Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina's certificate-of-need application to build a freestanding ASC, according to The Post and Courier.
Here are five points:
1. MUSC planned to open The Surgery Center at Mount Pleasant (S.C.) alongside East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant.
2. MUSC wanted to build the $12.5 million ASC as part of the health system's larger strategy to expand its presence in the South Carolina area.
3. Representatives from Charleston (S.C.) Surgery Center and Charleston-based Roper St. Francis were among the parties opposing the ASC.
4. Mount Pleasant-based Southeastern Spine Institute Partner Steven Poletti, MD, spoke out in opposition of the center and sent a letter to the health determent referring to MUSC's proposal as "premature" and "vague." Dr. Poletti went on to say the proposal would "adversely affect the fair market value of my shares" in Southeastern Spine.
5. MUSC can appeal the department of health's decision, which could extend the battle over the proposed center for months or years, The Post and Courier reports.