PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state has denied a proposal to build a new hospital in St. Helens, saying its range of services would be too limited.
Oregon Public Health officials also said they rejected the Columbia Health District request for approval to build a 12-bed hospital because it would be costly and could have difficulty financially.
The state agency said the hospital could cost up to $45 million while a financial analysis found it was very unlikely that residents of the health district would see any significant savings.
The state also found the proposed hospital would offer an extremely limited range of services with no surgery or maternity services.
