The chairman of Hutcheson Medical Center‘s board demanded that Walker County, Ga., officials cough up millions.
In response, those Walker County officials said Monday the demand is illegal.
Thus transpired another step in the slow, tense dance between local government leaders and representatives from the hospital’s board, known as the Hospital Authority of Catoosa, Dade and Walker Counties. Both sides hear Erlanger Health System officials knocking at the door, demanding payment.
The board’s leaders are prepared to abandon their dance partners, leaving them on the hook for the money. But Walker County’s officials are clawing at the board, trying to keep it by their side.
The latest round of arguing began June 10. After a federal judge ruled that Hutcheson’s board owes Erlanger $36 million for a 5-year-old loan it has yet to pay back, board chairman Dr. Darrell Weldon signed a settlement agreement with Erlanger.