FORT MILL TOWNSHIP -- Citing consumer costs and other complaints, Fort Mill's state House Rep. Ralph Norman has pulled his support for a Tenet-owned hospital in Fort Mill.

The hospital, proposed by Piedmont Medical Center's parent company, Tenet Healthcare Corp., would be located at the corner of Hwy. 160 West and Hwy. 21. The $107 million, 64-bed hospital would be located on 40 acres that now feature a peach orchard. The hospital would have 228,800 square feet and could be open by the fall of 2008 if plans proceed.

Originally backing the idea, Norman said he supports a hospital in Fort Mill. However, he said, he has reservations over the prices at Piedmont's area facilities and wonders if another operator could offer the same level of services at a more reasonable cost.

"It's not so much that Tenet doesn't get it," Norman said. "I urge DHEC (the Department of Health and Environmental Control) to consider all applications. I think Fort Mill should have competition."

It is for the best interest of Fort Mill."

DHEC is in the process of looking at Tenet's application and was originally scheduled to make a decision on it sometime this summer. Tenet has 78 hospitals in 13 states.

Norman said he believes there will be three other hospitals in the Charlotte metro area that will apply to DHEC for a certificate of need within the coming weeks to build a hospital in Fort Mill. Norman wouldn't say which hospitals are particularly interested.

At press time, no other competing hospital applications were filed.

Norman is also planning on talking with local doctors regarding Piedmont building a hospital in Fort Mill.

"I want some input from the physicians," he said. "They need to say who the provider will be."

A former chairman and board member for Piedmont Medical Center, Norman said "I've always had an issue with Piedmont's pricing. The people deserve the most competitive rates. I think it is right for the people."

Charles Miller, CEO of Piedmont, said he isn't worried about Norman not supporting the company's plans for the hospital.

"It is his view and he is entitled to it," Miller said. "He is entitled to express his opinion. We have a lot of support for this project in the community."

Joel Grice, director of DHEC's Bureau of Health Facilities, said the review process for Piedmont's application should take about four months. If other hospitals apply to build in Fort Mill, that could push the decision back, he said.

"We have to make our decision based on who would best serve the area," Grice said.

Miller said he isn't surprised that opposition for the hospital would occur. Despite the opposition, Miller said he doesn't expect that Tenet's application will be held up by DHEC. Norman said he thinks challenging it could delay the project until the end of the year, especially if other applicants become involved.

According to Grice, other applicants for a certificate of need would have to apply before March 12 if they want to challenge Piedmont's presence in Fort Mill.

The hospital is set to be build on land that Piedmont would purchase from Clear Springs Development, the builders of Baxter Village.

Piedmont is already affiliated with the Piedmont Urgent Care Center that is located in Baxter Village. The company made a commitment to develop a medical park there, but after the hospital was proposed, Clear Springs said it would not hold Piedmont to it.

Officials with Clear Springs declined to comment about Norman withdrawing his support and the impact that could have on the hospital plan.