Mid Coast-Parkview Hospital in Brunswick wants the state to reject a proposed stand-alone surgical center in Topsham.
Mid Coast President Lois Skillins says the hospital can already meet demand, and the new surgical center, which is about seven miles away, could siphon away patients and drive costs up because the hospital would have to raise prices to cover lost revenue.
But Central Maine Healthcare, which is seeking to build the new center, says it will provide sorely needed care, at lower cost.
"We don't carry the expensive caring costs of a hospital, which has to stand to be ready to serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days out of the year," says Central Maine Healthcare CEO Jeff Brickman.
Without that overhead, Brickman says, the savings can be passed on to patients. The surgical center must receive state approval. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Correction: 4:42 p.m. July 16, 2020: Skillins is the president of Mid Coast, not the CEO.
