Erlanger CEO Jim Brexler, middle right, waits to discuss a possible partnership with Hutcheson Medical Center.
Photo by Mike O'NealMonths of negotiations, rumors and speculation concerning a union of the area's two nonprofit hospitals may end tonight when Erlanger Medical Center's board of directors meets at 6 p.m. to consider a contract that would have Erlanger assume management of Hutcheson Medical Center and provide the financing necessary to keep HMC solvent.
This follows Hutcheson Medical Authority's board agreeing last Wednesday to partner with the larger hospital.
"On behalf of Catoosa County, I applaud what has been done," Catoosa County Attorney Skip Patty said after the HMA board approved the management decision.
HMA was the last of four boards governing Hutcheson to accept terms that will have Erlanger provide more than $35 million to stabilize HMC's finances and recruit new physicians to the hospital that serves Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties.
Erlanger CEO Jim Brexler said he was excited about the decision to move forward.
Brexler said Hutcheson's staff and the patients they serve were worth the nearly six-month process of combining forces to administer their care.
"This is what it takes to get a good decision made," Brexler said.
Last week's unanimous decision to partner with Erlanger meant different things for different people.
For some, it brought relief in the knowledge that their jobs at Hutcheson are secure for the time being.
For some, it meant being able to continue receiving critical medical care and treatment at their community hospital and not having to travel to Chattanooga.
For some, it was an example of divine intervention.
"I've been up since 3 a.m. praying for this hospital," said Betts Berry while Hutcheson's board members held a closed door session during last Wednesday's meeting.
Hutcheson and Erlanger have been negotiating for months on a plan that would pump money into the struggling hospital and help it rebuild its physician and patient base. Hutcheson has been losing $1 million a month, and it has defaulted on a $35 million bond.
Concessions made by Regions Bank, Hutcheson's lender, are only good if the agreement closes by April 15.