FL appeals court ruling disappoints HCA trauma centers

Florida's second-highest court has ruled in favor of Tampa Bay's longtime trauma hospitals in a high-profile fight over who treats the most critically injured. Bayfront Medical Center, Tampa General Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital challenged the state's decision to allow the HCA hospital chain to open trauma centers at hospitals in Pasco and Manatee counties. They argued that the new centers siphoned away patients, hurting the quality and finances of their existing programs. That case is now bolstered by the 1st District Court of Appeal's finding that a 20-year-old state rule used to justify the new trauma programs is out of date and invalid.