Residents persevere with push for Florida hospital

Residents pushing for a new hospital in the unincorporated Florida community of Poinciana will be at the mercy of a state health agency for the third time in two years after a neighboring hospital challenged the facility's approval. During the hearings, supporters plan to tell state officials of the need for an acute-care facility in the community, which sprawls with more than 70,000 residents between parts of Osceola and Polk counties. The hearings will last about three weeks, and a decision from the state is expected by the end of the year.