Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.The last of three court-mandated public hearings regarding the possible foreclosure of Hutcheson Medical Center ended the hearings on a pleading note Tuesday night in Dade County, Ga.
About 50 people came out to the Dade County Administrative Building for the third hearing, which was put on once more by Farrell Hayes, Hutcheson president and CEO. The crowd was comprised mostly of employees of the hospital or hospital board members, as well as several county commissioners.
Several representatives from Erlanger hospital -- the hospital which says Hutcheson owes more than $20 million -- were also in attendance.
For the most part on Tuesday, people took to the podium in order to defend Hutcheson and emphasize that it is vital to the community.
Cindy Simmons, a physician's assistant at Hutcheson-associated Trenton Family Practice, said losing Hutcheson would be a devastating event in the northwest Georgia community.
"To so many of our patients, Hutcheson means family, and losing that would be tragic," she said.
Tiffany Henegar is an office manager at Trenton Family Practice. At the hearing, she repeated questions patients have been asking her, which range from "Where will I get my medications?" to "Who will take care of me when I'm sick?" Some elderly patients she said have expressed fear at the prospect of having to drive in downtown Chattanooga traffic to see a doctor.
"Many of my patients will stop seeking the medical care they need," she said, as a prediction for what will happen if Hutcheson closes.
As a result of that, she said, many will die.
One audience member did call out to ask how Hutcheson had gotten itself into this position in the first place.
Hayes explained it was the result of previous hospital authorities making "questionable business decisions," including limiting ambulance service to the hospital in past years, which forced patients to seek treatment elsewhere.
He said as a result of the possible foreclosure, new boards have formed that are working to correct the problem and win back specialists who left in previous years. The new board is one of elected officials who work to serve the people who the hospital affects.
"Now once again you have a community hospital," he said.
As for what people can do to help save Hutcheson as the judge's ruling on Jan. 6 approaches, Hayes' answer was simple.
"Pray for Hutcheson," he said. "I think that's plenty."
Contact staff writer Hannah Smith at hsmith@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6731.