HLS receives state permission to build new rehabilitation hospital in Ocala, Florida

HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE: HLS) today announced that it has received permission from the state to proceed with building a comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in Ocala, Fla. The 40-bed hospital will provide comprehensive physical rehabilitation to patients who have experienced stroke, trauma, brain and orthopedic injuries or other major illness or injuries.

"This state-of-the-art hospital will provide a new and different type of service which will further augment the already strong continuum of healthcare services provided in Ocala/Marion County," said Linda Wilder, president of HealthSouth's Southeast region. "We look forward to working with other providers in the community to integrate this new service in Marion County."

Construction on the 49,900-square foot hospital is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2011. The proposed comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital will include 40 all-private rooms, a spacious, on-site therapy gym and cutting-edge rehabilitation technologies. The development of Ocala Rehabilitation Hospital of Marion County, LLC represents a $21 million investment in the community and, once fully operational, is expected to generate approximately 112 new, full-time jobs.

With 81,000 residents over the age of 65, Marion County is the largest county in Florida that currently doesn't have access to inpatient rehabilitation—a number that is expected to grow at a rate of 18 percent, faster than any other county in Florida. There is limited access to inpatient rehabilitative services in the area.

"We have been privileged to serve patients in Florida for more than 25 years at our other locations throughout the state and look forward to offering high-quality services closer to home for Marion County residents," said Wilder. "Currently, Marion County residents have very limited access to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital requiring patients and their families to travel to Gainesville or Spring Hill. This new hospital will ensure that residents have appropriate and reasonable access to the latest rehabilitative treatment and technology in a hospital setting."

HealthSouth currently operates nine inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital (LTCH) in Florida.