Sarasota Memorial considers partnership to cut costs

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is in talks with Tampa Bay's BayCare Health System about a cost-cutting deal that could mean turning over business functions to the larger, 10-hospital network—including a potential loss of some Sarasota Memorial jobs. BayCare outlined the idea to the Sarasota hospital's governance committee on Sept. 4, discussing the benefits of joint ventures and economies of scale. With some 2,779 beds in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties—and with plans to acquire the 527-bed Winter Haven Hospital in Polk County—the not-for-profit network is looking to expand so it can better compete with for-profit hospital chains.