Erlanger tile
Hutcheson Medical CenterThe “will they-won’t they” suspense continues to build in the latest episode in the ongoing drama of Hutcheson Medical Center and Erlanger Health System’s relationship.
Hutcheson has decided to see what other fish are in the sea, as North Georgia officials let a leasing agreement between the two hospitals die quietly after a closed-door meeting late Friday night.
Meanwhile, CEO Kevin Spiegel says Erlanger is still “committed” to working out some kind of partnership, as long as it’s “sustainable.”
“We’re absolutely not out,” Spiegel said Monday. “We really want to be there. We really want to serve that community. But we need it to make sense. We just need to make the deal so it doesn’t drain financial resources for Erlanger.”
Erlanger still has first right of refusal for a potential agreement after Hutcheson, which is owned by Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties, casts a wider net for bids. In June, Erlanger and Hutcheson leadership had agreed to a letter of intent that both parties hoped would lead to Erlanger leasing the North Georgia hospital for two 10-year spans.