The Cincinnati Enquirer

HARTWELL - Drake Center Inc. agreed Monday to wait until November 2004 to ask voters for a new tax levy.

The long-term hospital was seeking a March levy for almost $20 million a year, but last week the Tax Levy Review Committee asked Drake for more time to explain why one facet of the hospital's operations - the skilled-nursing facility - costs at least twice as much to run as other nursing homes.

"We continue to believe there is a clear and compelling case for the Drake levy," president and CEO Roberta Bradford said. "However, we also recognize that we have a special responsibility to ensure that Hamilton County residents fully understand the value Drake continues to bring to our community."

Drake officials said their patients are in worse shape than most other nursing homes' and their results are better.