Judge orders Walker County to pay Erlanger $8.7 million

Walker County, Ga., now has an outstanding bill to Erlanger Health System for $8.7 million.

U.S. District Court Judge Harold Murphy ruled Tuesday that the county owes the hospital that money because Commissioner Bebe Heiskell promised to pay back a loan from Erlanger in 2011. Murphy said that two contracts signed at the time involving the county, Erlanger and Hutcheson Medical Center’s board show the county is responsible for the payment.

Hutcheson Medical Center continues to be at the center of legal arguments.

“Walker County committed to paying those sums,” Murphy wrote.

Stuart James, an attorney representing the county, said he plans to appeal the ruling, hoping to eventually make arguments before the Georgia Supreme Court.