Health First Scales Back Hospital Project

Halts Planned Wellness Village in Palm Bay

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Health First, a Florida-based healthcare system, is scaling back plans to build a $508 million hospital project on Merritt Island due to financial challenges including inflation. The system is also halting plans to build wellness villages near its hospitals in Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida.

Health First, Palm Bay Hospital

The hospital project, which was originally slated to open in 2024, would have included a 200-bed hospital, an emergency department, and a variety of other medical services. The wellness villages would have included fitness centers, swimming pools, and other amenities.

The decision to scale back the projects comes as Health First faces financial challenges. The system has seen its costs rise in recent years, including the cost of labor, supplies, and equipment. The system has also been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a decrease in patient volume.

The decision to scale back the projects is a blow to the communities that were expecting them. The hospital project would have created hundreds of jobs and provided much-needed medical services to the area. The wellness villages would have given residents a place to stay healthy and active.

Health First said it is still committed to providing healthcare services to the area. The system said it is working on a new plan to address the needs of the community.