Palmetto Health appeals judge's hospital ruling

South Carolina-based Palmetto Health is appealing a judge's decision that would jeopardize its plans for a hospital in Irmo, SC. Palmetto Health planned to transfer its certificate of need license for 76 beds to its Parkridge campus from its Palmetto Health Baptist location, a move that had been approved by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. But earlier this month, Administrative Law Judge Marvin Kittrell overturned DHEC's decision to allow the transfer. The deal had been challenged by Lexington Medical Center and Newberry Memorial Hospital. Now Palmetto Health and DHEC have each sent a letter to Kittrell, asking him to reconsider his decision.