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Public hearing set for Tuesday
Troy City Council to hold hospital public hearing
Published Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Troy City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to entertain requests from hospital owners once again. Only this time, the city may have a request of its own.
After more than a year of backing the Troy Doctors Hospital, LLC. in financing, the city may look to move forward with a purchase, just not one that would change ownership.
“I proposed to the doctor’s group, they go ahead and allow us to issue bonds and do financing through the Health Care Authority,” said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford.
Lunsford said if doctors agreed to the proposal, ownership would not change. Doctors would just continue to pay on the $10.5 million bond issue to the city, rather than to another lending institution.
At this time, Lunsford said he hasn’t heard a response from owners.
Also in the meeting, Lunsford is anticipating some requests from the doctors, as well.
Among them will be additional backing on repairs for an air conditioning system at Troy Regional Medical Center.
Lunsford said that is something the city will likely agree to, since it would have to make those same repairs should the council have to take ownership themselves.
By April 30, as part of the extended agreement, the hospital owners are required to have funding in place for the city.
Lunsford said he isn’t sure if they will have that ready by the April 28 meeting or if the council will have to reconvene to discuss any further agreements at a later date.
“By April 30, they have to show us they have long term financing in place,” Lunsford said.
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Comments
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on April 26, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I sincerely hope that there is some resolution in the near future...and the hospital doors remain opened. This continuing dilemma concerns not just hospital staff and doctors...but the entire community that includes all surrounding towns.
If people need emergency care...they would have to travel to either Ozark or Montgomery for treatment. That time element alone could mean the difference between life or death. Ambulance crews can only do so much...and that extra traveling time puts that much more pressure and anxiety on those concerned and involved in a given emergency.
Posted by MyMyMy (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This matter should be resolved even if it means the City purchases the hospital and leases it to the doctors. The fact of the matter is that the City of Troy cannot have a Division 1 university or a nursing home without a local hospital with emergency care. The hospital will not close its doors, but it may change hands... again...
Another fact in this matter is that we have wonderful doctors and nurses that rely on that hospital for their livelihood. This community also relies on it. My family can honestly say that we have never had a bad experience at the Troy hospital and have practically made family out of some of those who work there. The doctors and nurses should be praised for sticking with the hospital through the ups and downs, including the late paychecks.
I, presonally, hated to hear that Dr. Mark Griffin is no longer in Troy. The Troy Hospital lost one of the best doctors when they lost him, especially in emergency care. I imagine the loss of this wonderful doctor will impact the hospital.
Posted by septuagenarian (anonymous) on April 27, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so glad to hear that the City is working with the doctors on the financing/ownership of the hospital. I realize that a doctor-owned hospital is a rarity, but it just makes sense. No one cares more about patient care than the doctors. They're not looking to make money--they just want to keep a hospital open in this community
MyMyMy, I have to disagree with you about Dr. Griffin. I was his patient many years ago, and one weekend, he decided he just wasn't going to do that anymore, and he left us all high and dry. He's way too fickle for me. I truly don't feel that the hospital has been impacted in the least by Dr. Griffin going (once again). They may not even realize that he is gone.
I agree that we have wonderful doctors in this community, nurses, too. The hospital staff deserves respect; I, and many others, plan to give it to them!
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