A local hospice care provider has started to shut down. It's making the move as the result of a paperwork dispute.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has ruled that it didn't receive Compassionate Care Hospice's license renewal paperwork on time so it had no choice but to pull the company's license.
“It is disappointing the company allowed their license to expire. AHCA has offered any needed direction to pursue a change to the current law, said AHCA in a statement.
The agency says it can't simply renew the license.
"Today we regret to announce that we are going to be shutting our doors," said Compassionate Care Hospice Chief Operating Officer Judy Gray.
The company has been seeking relief in the courts and from state lawmakers over the license dispute but so far hasn't gotten any relief.
It has laid off more than 30 of its 150 local employees. It is trying to find new hospice care providers for its remaining 125 patients.
People including George Garner believe they will quickly have to find new hospice care providers for their dying loved ones.
"I'm praying that someone will step in and fix this," said Garner outside the company's Lakeland office Tuesday afternoon.
"This is government at its very worst," said company attorney Geoffrey Smith.
He called on Governor Rick Scott and lawmakers to find a fix to the paperwork issue.
If nothing changes George Garner will have to break the news to his mother that different people will have to care for her in her final days.
"Mom all these people are being ripped out of your life. We are going to have to do something else," said Garner.