Letters are pouring in to local media in support of and against a proposed surgery center for Kenai, Alaska.
A group of surgeons — Kahtnu Ventures — has proposed to construct a single-story freestanding ambulatory surgical center in Kenai. Kahtnu Ventures recently submitted a second certificate of need application for the facility after the first application for the new ASC was denied because of "untimely submission of information," according to earlier reports. The management of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, has lobbied against the project.
Comments on the new CON request and project must be sent to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services no later than the afternoon of Jan. 23. A public hearing on the project is scheduled for Jan. 19.
As these dates approach, community members are taking their feelings on the project to the media.
In a Jan. 17 letter published in the Peninsula Clarion, Jenny Montgomery shows her support for the surgeons in their efforts to construct the ASC.
In a Jan. 12 letter published in the Peninsula Clarion, Terry McNulty shares concerns about the potential negative impact the surgery center might have on Central Peninsula Hospital.
Brenda Trefren writes in a Jan. 16 letter published in the Peninsula Clarion that the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly should remain neutral on the project after the Assembly indicated it would be in opposition to the venture.
Dave Gilbreath, the former CEO of Central Peninsula Hospital (2002-2006), writes in opposition to the surgery center in a Jan. 13 letter published in the Peninsula Clarion.
Kahtnu Ventures has placed an ad on the Peninsula Clarion website asking for support on the project. The ad links to a Facebook page that describes how the public can show support.
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